IBM's Lotus Gets Fresh Legs

IBM is still expanding the Lotus family with its beta testing of Blue House, the code name for several hosted collaboration products and features from both IBM and its partners to be offered on demand by subscription. Its on-demand web conferencing software, Sametime Unite, is already generating subscription revenue.

Microsoft is not exactly sitting on its Office and Exchange laurels. The company now sells hosted versions of some of its software by subscription, with more to come. Online releases of Exchange, SharePoint and Office Communications will be delivered by the end of the calendar year.