On November 1, Microsoft unveiled its software-as-a-service strategy, an effort to provide a more seamless connection between customers and their business and personal data by offering a range of services accessed over the Web by various devices.

CIO News Alert: Microsoft Unveils Web-based Services
In addition to the new plan called Live Software, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates unveiled new services for both Microsoft Windows OS and Office productivity suite, respectively called Windows Live and Office Live, that provide Web-based services separate from the software products to Microsoft customers.

Windows Validates Another Market with OneCare Security
Desktop security vendors need to take notice of Microsoft's comprehensive security utility suite.

.Net, Web Services, and the End of the Vendor Era
When Microsoft announced .Net, Bill Gates called it a "bet the company thing." But in the process of becoming far less than Microsoft had dreamed, .Net has become much more than CIOs had hoped for and is pointing the way to a new definition of the CIO role, creating a world in which vendors—including Microsoft—matter less and less.

Microsoft Goes All In
Redmond is betting CIOs will have to connect their Web services offerings to Office and Windows—a bet Google is willing to call.

More Than a Google Reaction?
Scott Berinato, author of .Net, Web Services, and the End of the Vendor Era, takes a closer look at the Live Software announcement.

Microsoft Goes Live
CIO Technology Editor Christopher Lindquist says what's really interesting here is that the Redmond crew has done it again—identified a sea change and turned its lumbering ship around on a dime by grabbing someone else's rudder.

Memo to Microsoft: Make Vista a Web Service, Too
CIO's Publisher Gary Beach was sitting in a tedious conference session when he though: What if Microsoft introduces its Windows Vista operating system as "openVista," where they provide the code base for Windows Vista for all to see?

*Podcast: Listen to Gary Beach's "openVista" idea.

The "Are You Ready for Web Services?" Quiz
Building Web services is not simply about buying technology. Nor is it just about defining business needs. Introducing Web services to your enterprise demands a deep understanding of your business culture and processes. Think you're ready? Take this quiz and find out for sure.