Web-sites remain isolated and there s a barrier for these sites to communicate with each other in a meaningful way, or collaborate to provide broader, deeper services. Users must rely on the Web server to perform every operation, and it s even harder to customise the online user experience, or create a personal information space to edit, analyse and share information. Instead, Web users are restricted to a read-only function, and have to input personal data in exchange for more HTML pages that do not offer live, interactive access to data. For Web developers, the tools to build, test and deploy engaging Web sites are lacking. While they may have the means to build attractive Web sites, there are no means available to address the entire software lifecycle, from design to development, deployment to maintenance, in a way that is consistent and efficient.
Developers are still unable to write code for PCs and apply it to different devices.
They are still exploring ways to incorporate their new e-commerce systems with the existing business infrastructure, and seeking solutions that will enable them to span the firewall so that they can engage customers and partners in an intelligent and meaningful way. As a result, many businesses still resort to expensive duplicate systems. Microsoft s goal is to address these gaps and to make Internet-based computing and communications easier to use, more easily personalized, and more productive for businesses and consumers. It will make information available any time, any place and on any device. The new family of Microsoft.