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Contents 
Introduction
Testing Compatability
Evermore Integrated Office
Lotus SmartSuite
Microsoft Office
StarOffice/OpenOffice
WordPerfect Office
Specifications
Final words
Editor's choice
About RMIT |
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In the end, Microsoft Office wins the match by brute force rather than finesse. This, it seems, is a recipe for short-term success. The huge Microsoft market share effectively forces competitors to aim for MS compatibility.
Corel's WordPerfect Office would rank a close second in my mind if not for its failure during several conversion incidents. The OpenOffice/StarOffice twins are similarly deserving of mention -- particularly when you consider the price advantages. These products all have very promising futures.
StarOffice has already been taken on board as the application of choice by many Indian companies (including banks) as well as government departments and military organisations. WordPerfect continues to have a devoted following amongst many members of the legal profession -- a community advantage which Corel actively fosters.
OpenOffice and StarOffice are beginning to be used wholesale by governments, in Europe, Asia and even Israel and the USA. Microsoft remains king for the moment, but how long will it last?
Sample scenario
A new business is choosing office software. The owner wants to determine whether to go with a mainstream product or whether there is any virtue in any of the cheaper alternatives.
Approximate budget: Open.
Requires: Office software for general word-processing and office administration, spreadsheets are essential and it should include presentation software and have the option of database capabilities.
Concerns: Reliability and compatibility with other offices which may be using different software. Price is worth considering, but the bottom line is getting the job done with the minimum of hassle.
Not a bad balanced review. What about all the advanced features like IRM, shared workspace with SharePoint Services, Integration with backend systems etc This is the true differentiation for users who want to do more than change fonts and add italics to a document. Word processing is hard to differntiate, but you ask a very advanced spreadsheet user what really works for them.