Microsoft have released a beta version to testers of the upcomming CRM 3.0. This throws an interesting spin on web based CRM such as Sales Force.com and Sugar CRM, not to mention the usual suspects such as Accpac and Goldmine. A final launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006.

This seems to be in line with microsoft strategy to try steal market share in new markets that they do not already own.

Interesting to note too that yesterday in preparation for the launch of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 on November 7, the final release of the .NET Framework 2.0 is now available for download. Version 2.0 serves at the underpinnings for next-generation Windows applications and will be integrated into Windows Vista.

Microsoft on Thursday released to manufacturing Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005, just over a week before the products make their official debut at a gala event in San Francisco. Downloads of the next-generation development products will be available for MSDN subscribers later today.