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
Subscribe
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
    Subscribe
    Home Latest News

      Users Weigh Cost and Benefits of Office XP

      Written by

      Peter Galli
      Published May 28, 2001
      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.

        As Microsoft Corp. prepares for the launch this week of Office XP, the next version of its ubiquitous desktop suite, corporate users are weighing their options—and finding few.

        None of the traditional options—to upgrade for additional features, to sit tight or to switch to another platform altogether—satisfies all the needs of IT managers and users.

        Many large companies with volume license agreements, for instance, are unhappy about Microsofts strategy to require upgrades to Windows 2000 and its insistence that customers sign up for the Redmond, Wash., companys new Software Assurance plan to avoid paying full price for future XP upgrades.

        Still, some IT experts are recommending that clients running older Office 97 suites upgrade to XP.

        “The older Office technology limits the innovations we can provide these clients in our solutions,” said David Osborne, chief technology officer at Plural Inc., in New York, an application development and consulting company. “The inclusion of XML [Extensible Markup Language] and SOAP [Simple Object Access Protocol] as well as other protocols and data standards in XP allows us to be far more effective and creative with our clients.”

        But the greatest challenge for Microsoft may be to persuade those already on Office 2000 to take the plunge. “Microsofts greatest opportunity will be with Office 97 users, as XP is not a major upgrade for those already on 2000,” said Jason Perlow, an IT consultant to a leading financial institution and an independent analyst based in New York.

        Another option for customers not interested in upgrading now would be to switch to another product. But even then, given the lack of a viable alternative to Office, IT managers are restricted in what they can do. Contenders such as SmartSuite from Lotus Development Corp. and Unix/Linux offerings such as WordPerfect Office from Corel Corp. simply cannot compete with Microsoft Office.

        “The fundamental problem with the Linux desktop and productivity suites is the lack of standardization. There are just too many Linux companies and too many diverse, scattered groups working on too many projects,” Perlow said. “Their offerings lack the ease of use and polish of Office and Windows, do not offer the same level of functionality and, in many cases, lack cross-platform file compatibility. All of this works in Microsofts favor.”

        Osborne agreed. The Unix/Linux offerings are far less sophisticated than Office and lack the huge number of third-party applications found with Office and Windows, he said.

        The management, training, support and compatibility costs associated with a migration from Office to a competing product are also so high that few large companies will seriously consider this, Osborne added.

        Not helping matters is that the Linux desktop market is in disarray: Eazel Inc. has closed down, and MandrakeSoft Inc. recently underwent layoffs and a management reorganization, all of which does not help build corporate confidence in the platform.

        Officials at Sun Microsystems Inc., based in Palo Alto, Calif., said they are hopeful that Microsofts licensing strategies and the hefty cost of XP upgrades will drive users to Suns StarOffice productivity suite.

        But Sun officials also acknowledged that the lack of third-party applications written for the suite is a limiting factor and that significant user adoption may still be a ways off.

        Ultimately, the best choice for users may be none at all.

        Joel Salamone, senior director of technology at The Motley Fool Inc., in Alexandria, Va., said his 300 desktops all run Office 2000 and “the benefits of moving to XP are nonexistent. No threat of higher costs if we dont upgrade now is going to convince me to upgrade. Given the current economic conditions, my priorities are spending money on things that benefit our customers and our bottom line. Anything that doesnt help drive our revenue moves straight to the bottom of the list.”

        Peter Galli
        Peter Galli
        Peter Galli has been a technology reporter for 12 years at leading publications in South Africa, the UK and the US. He has comprehensively covered Microsoft and its Windows and .Net platforms, as well as the many legal challenges it has faced. He has also focused on Sun Microsystems and its Solaris operating environment, Java and Unix offerings. He covers developments in the open source community, particularly around the Linux kernel and the effects it will have on the enterprise. He has written extensively about new products for the Linux and Unix platforms, the development of open standards and critically looked at the potential Linux has to offer an alternative operating system and platform to Windows, .Net and Unix-based solutions like Solaris.

        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.