Google pushes Docs as MS prepares for launch of Office 2010

Many times, when a company is getting ready for a big announcement of a product, competitors will come out with news of their own in the days just before the big announcement in an attempt to steal some thunder. In most cases, those competitors are subtle about it, trying to make it look like a coincidence that their news comes at the same time.

Not Google, though. In a blog post this morning, the company is frank and straightforward about the message being put out there:

This week Microsoft will take its Office 2010 suite out of beta. If you’re considering upgrading Office with Office, we’d encourage you to consider an alternative: upgrading Office with Google Docs. If you choose this path, upgrade means what it’s supposed to mean: effortless, affordable, and delivering a remarkable increase in employee productivity. This is a refreshing alternative to the expensive and laborious upgrades to which IT professionals have become accustomed.

From there, the post goes on to talk about the rich collaboration tools that come with Google Docs, as well as plans for real-time collaboration tools from Google that are heading for Office 2003 and Office 2007 in the coming months. Finally, the post ends with a reminder that there’s a free trial period for Google Docs and the rest of the Apps suite for business customers. The company also included a comparison chart (below)

As Google says: “The only thing you have to lose is a server or two.”

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Google pushes Docs as MS prepares for launch of Office 2010 | ZDNet

Posted By: JMH
11 May 2010