Microsoft unveils .Net research centre in Silicon Valley

Microsoft has opened a new technology centre in Silicon Valley.

The company says its new venture will help spearhead its .Net initiative.

The new centre is intended as a research lab where e-commerce partners can test the reliability of their software applications.

Microsoft has housed some divisions in the area, but the vast majority of staff are based at the firm's campus in Redmond, Washington.

"We're learning an amazing amount from this community of talented individuals by really, really listening to them," said chief executive Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft also runs similar labs in Toronto, Boston and Austin, Texas. Another is scheduled to open in Chicago later this spring.

The .Net plan aims to transform trademark software products into services instantly accessible across the range of coming next generation web-access devices.