---
title: "Microsoft Plans Web-based Works Suite – Including Word Processing And Spreadsheets"
date: 2006-09-22
author: "Richard MacManus"
categories:
  - name: "ReadWriteWeb"
    url: "/category/readwriteweb.md"
tags:
  - name: "2006"
    url: "/tag/2006.md"
---

# Microsoft Plans Web-based Works Suite – Including Word Processing And Spreadsheets

![microsoft works](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741im_/http://static.flickr.com/88/249710542_86c530a3b9.jpg?v=0)In the clearest sign yet that the big guns are preparing to step up the battle for Web Office, Microsoft [ has said](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2006-09-22T010709Z_01_N21422270_RTRUKOC_0_US-MICROSOFT-WORKS.xml) it is considering releasing a version of Microsoft Works (the poor cousin of Microsoft Office) as a web suite. The desktop version of [Works](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/http://www.microsoft.com/products/works/default.mspx) retails for $50 and includes a calendar, word processor, spreadsheets, Web Browser and e-mail. While its currently positioned as a home productivity toolset (to do your accounts, write letters, etc), it could pretty easily be re-positioned as a (small) business web office suite.

In any case – because Works includes basic word processing and spreadsheet software, to web-enable that and bundle it as a suite would be a step above what *both* Microsoft and Google currently offer. Right now Microsoft has [Office Live](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/http://officelive.microsoft.com/) (web hosting, email, project collaboration) and Google offers [Apps For Your Domain](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/https://www.google.com/a/) (email, IM, calendar and website creator).

Microsoft’s planned web-based Works would be a free package, supported by advertising. As [ Reuters put it](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2006-09-22T010709Z_01_N21422270_RTRUKOC_0_US-MICROSOFT-WORKS.xml&pageNumber=1&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage1):

> “\[Microsoft\] faces a growing pack of Web-based competitors — led by Google — that is offering similar \[office\] technology for free with a business model that makes money off advertising.
> 
> The world’s largest software maker is now mulling how it can move Microsoft Works, a basic suite of business software that often comes preloaded on inexpensive consumer PCs, onto the Web as part of its growing stable of free online services.”

![google apps](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741im_/http://static.flickr.com/81/249711406_c5833b8290_m.jpg)I think this is a wise move by Microsoft to pre-empt Google’s upcoming Web Office suite. It clearly won’t affect sales of their flagship MS Office, as the functionality is much richer in the desktop version – even more so when Vista and Office 2007 are released. Works is very basic by comparision – *but* it does have word processing and spreadsheets.

On the other hand Google will probably easily trump a web-based Works, once they package up Writely and Google Spreadsheets into a proper suite. So far there have only been hints that Google will take that next step – perhaps they’re still busy working on the business models for such a move.

All in all, things are starting to get interesting in the Web Office space. I wouldn’t mind betting that Google pushes forward whatever secret plan they have for a full office suite, now that Microsoft has made noises about webifying word processing and spreadsheets.

**See also:**[Google Office: a close-up look](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/http://blogs.zdnet.com/web2explorer/?p=269) and [image gallery of Google office apps](https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051741/http://blogs.zdnet.com/web2explorer/?page_id=268).

*Originally published on ReadWriteWeb ([archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20020204040018/http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/microsoft_plans_web-based_works_suite.php))*