Microsoft Corp, the software giant has called that it will dump its entry-level suite and will provide a free stripped-down, advertising-supported version of Office 2010 on new PCs from next year. The new version is meant to replace the Microsoft Word and will only be available on new PCs sold by OEMs. It is available in three different versions, called Home & Student, Home & Business or Professional editions.
 
Microsoft to Replace Works with 'Office 2010 Starter'

The new edition called “Office Starter 2010” will contain only Word 2010 and Excel 2010 that means it is devoid of PowerPoint 2010 and OneNote 2010. However, the Home & Business edition will also have Outlook 2010. According to the software giant, the Office Starter 2010 edition will be different from the trial edition and there will be no expiration. Consumers can continuously use the starter edition until their needs exceed.
 
Various analysts suggest that the software giant has discovered new ways to try the next version of Microsoft’s Office before buying. The Office 2010 is slated for release in the first half of 2010. Earlier, during the technical preview, the company said the Office 2010 will come in 32-bit and 64-bit flavors and have five editions. Meanwhile, the Office Starter 2010 will only be replacing Microsoft Works.
 
The Office Starter 2010 edition will be free on new PCs launched in 2010. However, the users who want to upgrade their PC will have to purchase a product activation key online that will be available at major electronics retailers. Also, the software giant will provide a new technology, called “Click-To-Run” that lets users to download and buy Office 2010 directly from Office.com.
 
Microsoft also said that the new Office Starter 2010 version will not be available for direct purchase, but it will only come pre-loaded on new computers. The new version will have simple functionality through which users can view, edit and create documents. Also, the company claims that the Office Word Starter 2010 and Office Excel Starter 2010 are designed for casual Office users, who can work easily with reduced-functionality and ad-supported software.
 
Why this ad-supported Office Starter 2010?

At present, the new PCs come with the trial versions of Office 2007 that expire in 60 days. Many users hate this "Microsoft Works suite." Therefore, the company has planned the new Office Starter 2010 to replace the trial version so that the new users can have the experience of the next Office version and also they have the choice to use the software as much as they wish. But, they have to deal with the advertisements or pay up to upgrade to one of the full versions.
 
Further, it seems that Microsoft is now focusing more in the productivity tools market, which is now infringed by open office or Google Docs. The company is trying to check the trend of new buyers to switch over on various alternatives of Microsoft Works and not buying the Office after the expiration of free trial period. Now, the free version with unlimited expiry will help the users not wasting time to find the other alternatives.

Under the new strategy, the company will provide a Product Key Card through major OEMs and electronic retail outlets. It will benefits only for one user and unlocks the functionality of Office 2010. For the people who already own a PC can try new Office 2010 through Click-To-Run technology.

Renu Singh/ITvoir Network