Salesforce.com chief executive Mark Benioff yesterday unveiled the company's Winter 2006 release, claiming that web-based enterprise software is catching up with hosted consumer applications such as Google.

"The consumer web is really where all the action has been," Benioff said at a launch event in San Francisco. He pointed to services including eBay, Google and Apple's iTunes Music Store as examples of successful online applications.

"If it's so easy to get books or music online, how can we deliver that same level of business automation?" he asked.

The latest Salesforce release allows developers to create customised applications that tie in with the software.

Enterprises can build their own software or use free or commercial tools from third-party developers through a web browser similar to the way users access Salesforce.com's CRM software.

Benioff demonstrated plug-ins from partners including Adobe and Skype. The Adobe software allows users to create and send PDFs, while the Skype application lets firms place VoIP calls to partners or customers listed in the Salesforce address book and adds online presence information for other Skype users.

Another tool ties Google Maps into the application, giving users a way to show a map of sales leads.