Would it speed up the provision of Professional 2.0 services?

Sure does. Microsoft gains access to Yahoo's content and community services (News, Video + Yahoo Groups , Yahoo Answers) and many professionals using Yahoo's Small Business services. Content and Community are critical parts of social network solutions based around Web 2.0 and will be key to online professional's networks. Yahoo gets access to Microsoft's strong profile in the professional services segment (Windows + Office software + Office Accounting 2008)  and can use its capabilities in online services, content and community to strengthen the Microsoft Live offering. Together, they could provide the Professional 2.0 type services that currently exist in a fragmented market.

So what could happen to the Professional 2.0 services they provide today?

Whilst Yahoo provides strong search, webmail, messenger and content services (flickr and delicious), it does not have a online website development and workspace/application service like Office Live. Yahoo does have depth however in its Small Business website software and services that would enhance an Office Live offering. Also, having acquired Zimbra, an excellent messaging and collaboration solution, these services could be integrated into Office Live to make it a complete solution for the the online professional.

Together, there is the potential to create a Professional 2.0 offering which combines WebPresence (Site+Blog) , Collaboration, Business Services and Community.