Chances are that you've at least considered moving to Web-based apps for core productivity software, word processing and spreadsheets and even email services--especially if you are a small- or medium-sized firm. There's something appealing about it, and it might be cheaper. Astutely, Google has purchased on-demand security software maker Postini for $625 million. The idea is to add enterprise-quality security to on-demand, online applications, to allay customers compliance fears. It may turn the tide for some users. Some big firms especially may be wary of such apps because they might not seem kosher from a Sarbanes-Oxley point of view [1]. You would have to think that any hosted service provider will have to move along similar lines.

For more:
- here's an article [2] from Instant Messaging Planet