Ballmer talks .Net

C|Net | at | by Mike

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said Monday the company's software-as-service strategy will not generate significant profits for several years--a position that drew a hailstorm of criticism from the company's chief rival. Ballmer, who delivered the keynote speech at The Industry Standard's annual Internet Summit here, said the company's .Net program has about 3,500 corporate customers and may grow to as many as 7,000 clients in the next few years. However, Ballmer said, the effort isn't likely to immediately excite financial analysts or others on Wall Street.