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July 25, 2008 5:04:18 PM CDT

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IBM Challenges Microsoft Office With Free Software

Posted Sep 18, 07 6:47 AM CDT in US,  Technology,  Business 

(Newser) – IBM is issuing a new challenge to the supremacy of Microsoft's Office software, releasing a suite of free programs, called Symphony, that can perform many of the functions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft just released Office 7.0, and one analyst speculates many users will switch to Symphony rather than spend the money to upgrade, the Wall Street Journal reports

The move is aimed to help boost IBM's Notes software, which offers email and instant messaging in competition with Microsoft's Outlook. And IBM is also hoping to increase acceptance of Open Document Format, an internationally recognized standard that doesn't work effectively with Microsoft products.

Source Wall Street Journal

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(FILES)The IBM logo is pictured at the RSA Conference 2007 in...   (Getty Images)
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates speaks in this Feb. 26, 2007 file photo in Seattle. Gates was taking part in "Launch Tour 2007" to tout the release of Microsoft Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office...   (Associated Press)
Windows Vista sits on shelves   (Getty Images)
Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003.   (KRT Photos)
Gates Launches Microsoft Office   (Getty Images)
Bill Gates Delivers Keynote Address To Microsoft Professional Developers Conference   (Getty Images)
Microsoft sign.   (Getty Images)
The IBM logo at the main campus in Research Triangle Park, N.C. is seen, Tuesday, July 31, 2007. International Business Machines Corp. and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have agreed to pay nearly $5.3 million...   (Associated Press)
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