Salesforce.com launches updated AppExchange

Salesforce.com, the software maker that helps companies manage their customer relationships, is expected on Wednesday to launch the latest version of AppExchange, the company's on-demand software-sharing application. AppExchange, originally launched in January, is Salesforce.com's online marketplace for hosted applications. The exchange allows vendors who offer software that helps companies complete finance, human resources and marketing chores to integrate them inside Salesforce.com's Web user interface.

The new version enables Salesforce.com to provide more than just Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and more of a platform for all sorts of on-demand business applications, the company said. "Partners benefit from a proven, secure platform that is highly available, secure and reliable," said Marc Benioff, Salesforce.com's CEO in a statement. "Partners can focus on building robust and cutting-edge features tailored to their specific markets."