Salesforce.com officially unveiled its AppExchange marketplace for hosted software last week, fleshing out its concept of an “eBay for applications” by announcing support from Skype, Adobe and Business Objects.

AppExchange offers a try-before-you-buy approach to online software that plugs into Salesforce’s salesforce automation and customer relationship management (CRM) software. The idea is that Salesforce becomes an operating system-like nexus for complementary tools.

Adding to previously-announced partners in enterprise resource planning, accounting and other areas, Salesforce said that Skype IP telephony, Adobe PDF creation tools and Business Objects’s Crystal Reports XI analytics will also be available through AppExchange.

In a speech to mark the Winter ’06 release of the Salesforce service, chief executive Marc Benioff said, “Our vision is to take killer applications [available] on the internet and transform these into a platform.”

Benioff added that he also sees value in the fashionable area of “mash-ups” – the blending of components to create hybrid applications – for example, tools combining maps with sales-tracking tools.

Salesforce also announced that it will work with global consulting services group Tata to help customers who are integrating applications.

Independent analyst Phil Wainewright commented, “Salesforce made some important announcements about business partners and that’s a sign they’re getting some momentum behind AppExchange.”

Although most agreed that AppExchange will attract interest, some watchers said that firms seeking high-value applications will be unwilling to simply download them to try out the fit with their organisations. And several pointed out that Salesforce partners will continue to sell their applications on a standalone basis.

One AppExchange partner added, “The review idea [where users comment on AppExchange tools] is a bit cosmetic. I’m not sure how trustworthy those [reviews] will be.”