For end customers that means Microsoft applications, such as Exchange, Office 2000 and Windows 2000, will be available through ASPs via the Internet. During the last year, Microsoft has been working with a number of ASPs to make hosted applications available to customers via the Internet. A lot of large companies with branch offices and mobile workforces want to investigate the ASP model. Microsoft recently completed an eight-month ASP pilot, the goal being to understand ASP and customer requirements. During the pilot, the number of participating ASPs grew from 20 to 50.
ASPs address both issues.
Some of those ASPs are now evaluating or deploying Exchange 2000. We can provide Microsoft Exchange more reliably and cost effectively than corporate IT shops can. Companies used to handle payroll in-house until the taxes and laws evolved into something more complex. The same thing is happening with e-mail. Customers want collaboration, mobile access and security features.