Like .Net, a label Microsoft once applied to both its consumer Web services and its highly technical programming framework, "Live" is a nebulous brand that means different things in different context. In some instances, "Live" applications are hosted translations of their offline relatives, as will be the case when Microsoft's CRM Live launches early next year: Microsoft promises full functional parity with its traditional Microsoft CRM software.
But other "Live" services bear little relation to their offline namesakes. "Office Live" isn't a hosted, Web-accessible version of Microsoft Office; it's a bundle of add-on Web document storage services and a separate set of Website creation and data management tools for small businesses. Likewise, "Windows Live" doesn't have much to do with Microsoft's operating system; it's a collection of add-on Web apps.
So when Microsoft introduces a new "Live" service, should users expect a hosted version of the similarly named offline software or a set of loosely related add-ons for the offline product? Right now, the branding is too new for its squishiness to be causing many headaches, according to solution providers. Frank Lee, president of Microsoft CRM specialist Workopia, said his clients and prospects generally haven't heard of the Live branding and don't know to request CRM Live -- they just want to know if Microsoft CRM supports "hosted" or "on-demand" deployments, the jargon they're accustomed to.
But Lee expects that to change as Microsoft throws its formidable advertising muscle behind its "Live" strategy. "With Microsoft marketing's track record -- it should be pretty quick to be at the level of 'on-demand' or 'hosted' buzz," Lee predicts.
Adding urgency to the issue is Microsoft's stated plan to make as much of its software as possible available through three delivery models: traditional on-premise deployment, partner hosted, and hosted directly by Microsoft. (Want written proof that this is Microsoft's stated road map? Check out the Software + Services white paper it published this summer , which clearly breaks out the three-pronged approach Microsoft emphasized at its Worldwide Partner Conference.)
If Live is going to become as ubiquitous as "on demand," Microsoft would do well to learn from .Net's sordid past and ensure that the brand is clear and consistent.
related stories
Video
trending stories
sponsored resources

Cysurance
Cyber Insurance 360

Tenable
Cyber Risk 360

Application Integration 360

Carbonite
Cloud Storage 360

NPD
Industry Trends 360

Veeam
Veeam

Comcast Business
Comcast Business Learning Center

Cato Networks
SASE & SD-WAN 360

CyberPower
CyberPower

Channel Chief Showcase

CRN Showcase

APC by Schneider Electric
Digital Services for Edge Learning Center

Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies Cloud Learning Center

Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies Server Learning Center

Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies Storage Learning Center

BlackBerry
BlackBerry Learning Center

Fujifilm
Fujifilm

Acer
Remote Workforce 360

Webroot
Webroot Learning Center

Cyber Protection 360

Cradlepoint
5g for Business 360

Smart 3rd Party
3rd Party Maintenance 360

Trend Micro
Trend Micro Learning Center

Sherweb
Sherweb

Vonage
Vonage

Vertiv
Edge Computing Learning Center

Comm100
Collaboration & Communications 360

VMware

EPOS
EPOS

Sophos
Sophos Cybersecurity Learning Center

Partner Program Guide Showcase

Dell Technologies
Microsoft HCI Solutions from Dell Technologies Learning Center

Hitachi Vantara
Hitachi Vantara

Terranova Security
Cybersecurity 360

eSentire
Managed Detection and Response 360

Wasabi
Wasabi

N-able
MSP Automation Solutions 360

iboss
Cloud SASE Platform 360
