Microsoft Office Live is currently in beta testing ahead of its international launch. The technology aims to provide small to medium-sized businesses with a set of online tools, including a domain name, website, e-mail and online storage, along with easy portal creation and collaboration functionality integrated into Microsoft`s range of Office applications.

Office Live is available in three flavours, with the entry-level product being offered to businesses free of charge. But due to high prices and slow bandwidth in South Africa, the software giant has been forced to delay local release of the product line until the situation improves.