Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News

      Life Without MS Office Isnt So Tough

      Written by

      David Coursey
      Published August 19, 2004
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

        The only reason most companies buy Microsoft Office is because theyve convinced themselves that they cant live without it. More should try that—and in the process, force Microsoft to do a better job of earning its money.

        The other reason why companies keep buying MS Office is because they already have so much of it installed that adding some WordPerfect or StarOffice to the mix is more trouble than its worth.

        But if you add enough of the lower-priced office suites, the savings can become mighty interesting. After all, StarOffice in single-unit quantities costs only $80 a desktop.

        Consider whats happening in the Australian state of New South Wales, where the government is moving 1,500 users from Outlook to Suns StarOffice. They expect to save $1.5 million a year as a result.

        /zimages/2/28571.gifClick here to read more about the switch to StarOffice in New South Wales.

        While the dollar amount of the savings, $10,000 a desktop each year, seems excessive—even if were talking about those 71-cent Aussie bucks—its not impossible. Or maybe this is the number for moving a larger number of users or some servers.

        But no matter how the savings are calculated, having an extra $1.5 million puts more money into projects or reduces taxes. Both are worthy goals. My bet is that the 1,500 users will, after a bit of squawking, get along just fine. Maybe better, since Microsoft Office can overload users with features they never use and would prefer not to see.

        For Microsoft, there is a deeper meaning here. Its that the NSW government has decided, at least for this department, that Microsoft is no longer earning its premium pricing. If more businesses, particularly SMBs (small to midsized businesses), were to ask the same question, theyd get the same answer as the Aussies.

        The current Microsoft response seems to be one of denial. Redmond keeps trying to make a case that Linux isnt less expensive than Microsoft servers. And maybe they are right, though they have yet to make the case convincingly enough to really sway industry opinion.

        /zimages/2/28571.gifRead more here about Microsofts “Get the Facts” campaign against Linux.

        But even if they are right about servers—Ill call that one “jury still out”—what about desktops? Suppose all we do is take a bunch of older Office installations and, instead of buying a Microsoft Office upgrade, convert the users to StarOffice, OpenOffice or even WordPerfect instead.

        Every installation would be a bit different, depending on the pricing you get from the vendors—OpenOffice is free—and what the installation and conversion costs would be.

        My bet is that training wouldnt be a huge issue for most companies, though support costs might change, and that would have to be figured in. Then wed want to project forward a few years for a TCO (total cost of ownership) before its time to upgrade again.

        Its hard for me to imagine that most companies wouldnt save money by switching off of Microsoft Office. And their users, after a bit of alarm, really wouldnt notice. Very few users take advantage of the features that Microsoft competitors dont offer, and file compatibility—once a battleground—has been assured for many years.

        The rise of Linux has caused many companies to re-evaluate their purchasing. Companies that have never questioned their reliance on Microsoft Office are asking questions. And when they do, Microsoft will often come out the loser.

        The bottom line for customers is that its worth the effort to explore other Office options, which work quite well and can save you money. The bottom line for Microsoft—the challenge, really—is the subject of my next column.

        /zimages/2/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms Windows Center at http://windows.eweek.com for Microsoft and Windows news, views and analysis.

        /zimages/2/77042.gif

        Be sure to add our eWEEK.com Windows news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page

        David Coursey
        David Coursey
        One of technology's most recognized bylines, David Coursey is Special Correspondent for eWeek.com, where he writes a daily Blog (blog.ziffdavis.com/coursey) and twice-weekly column. He is also Editor/Publisher of the Technology Insights newsletter and President of DCC, Inc., a professional services and consulting firm.Former Executive Editor of ZDNet AnchorDesk, Coursey has also been Executive Producer of a number of industry conferences, including DEMO, Showcase, and Digital Living Room. Coursey's columns have been quoted by both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and he has appeared on ABC News Nightline, CNN, CBS News, and other broadcasts as an expert on computing and the Internet. He has also written for InfoWorld, USA Today, PC World, Computerworld, and a number of other publications. His Web site is www.coursey.com.

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Artificial Intelligence

        9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

        Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
        AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
        Read more
        Cloud

        RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

        Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
        RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
        Read more
        Artificial Intelligence

        8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

        Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
        Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
        Read more
        Latest News

        Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

        James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
        I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
        Read more
        Video

        Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

        James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
        I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

        ×