Office 2010 given channel thumbs up
Latest version of Microsoft product suite inspires positive response from channel
Barclay: The addition of the cloud computing functionality has been warmly received
The latest incarnation of Microsoft’s Office 2010 software suite has been warmly received by the software giant’s channel partners.
The product features new versions of Microsoft’s flagship Office applications, including Word, Excel and Outlook, and will be released to business users on 12 May.
Microsoft Sharepoint or Windows Live users will also be able to edit documents online using free versions of Office 2010 applications, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and One Note.
Clare Barclay, director of strategy and programmes at Microsoft UK, said the “cloud functionality” has been well received by its partners.
“The feedback we received from partners has been very encouraging, with many expressing excitement about the impact the addition of cloud will have,” she said.
Paul Graville, director at Microsoft partner Concentra, said the response his firm has received from customer trial using the beta version of the product suite had been very positive.
He said: “Most of those who have tried it are desperate to get hold of the full release because the user experience is that much better.”
Resellers will have three versions of Microsoft Office to market, compared with the seven available for Office 2007. These are Professional, Home and Student, and Home and Business.
Chris Adams, Office client product manager for Microsoft UK, said the decision to pare down the product line would make it easier for channel partners to sell the product. “It is up to the channel how they choose to price the product, and they have been extremely supportive of our decision to reduce the number of product SKUs.”
Alex Tatham, sales and marketing director at Microsoft distributor Westcoast, predicted the Home and Business version will prove the biggest money spinner for the channel.
He added: “Microsoft Office is a very important product for the channel because it sells so well, and the 2010 offering is very well priced.”