[chadfree] UK retailer challenges Microsoft with office suite


UK retailer challenges Microsoft with office suite
<http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=98EF3A11-ED26-437D-9256-6815D6AA7FE3>
3rd October 2006
By Staff Writer
A surprise challenger to Microsoft Corp's desktop productivity monopoly has 
arisen in the UK with retail giant Tesco Plc launching its own Tesco Software 
brand of security and office productivity software.
The retail giant, which operates one of the biggest supermarket chains in the 
world, will begin selling its own branded software this month, with it expected 
to be available in 100 stores across the UK in the next 12 months.


AdvertisementThe move has seen Tesco's Tesco Stores Ltd subsidiary team up with 
Formjet Plc, a UK software distributor that operates Panda Software UK Ltd, 
Ability Software International Ltd, and FileStream UK Ltd.

Between them these companies will provide the majority of the six products that 
Tesco will sell on its store shelves. The retail firm will sell two 
security/antivirus products, a personal finance tool, a complete office suite, 
a CD/DVD burning tool, and photo editing software.

Formjet will also provide customer support and renewal services under the Tesco 
Software Support name, and will design, run and maintain the new 
TescoSoftware.com online presence.

Formjet currently offers a variety of security packages, including Panda's 
Titanium Antivirus, Platinum Internet Security and TruPrevent packages, as well 
as Ability Office, which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, image 
editing, photo management, design, and presentation capabilities.

Ability Office has been around since 1985 and runs on Microsoft's Windows 98, 
ME, NT, 2000 and XP. The current Ability Office Professional package with all 
titles retails for just under 50 pounds ($94). 

Mike


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