Microsoft takes aim at CRM market with Office Live

We briefly noted yesterday that Microsoft's Office Live was almost ready for release. Since then, more details have emerged: the suite of web-tools, which includes domain, email and website hosting, document collaboration tools and CRM functionality, will launch on November 15th. Office Live will be offered to small businesses using a tiered model: Premium, Essential and Basic versions of the software will be available for varying monthly subscription fees. Office Live seems like a sneaky attempt to enter the CRM market at the lowest rung on the ladder--it will be interesting to see if SMBs take the bait.

For more on Office Live:
- see this article on Ars Technica