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Computer industry

IBM and Lotus Join Forces to Fill Software Market Void

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a bid to fill the gap in the software market, IBM and Lotus have announced a partnership to sell the Lotus SmartSuite package for OS/2 and OS/2 for Windows through reseller channels. The package, which includes a spreadsheet, presentation software, wordprocessor, and electronic mail agent, is being offered at an introductory price of $499 until June 30. This move comes as vendors such as Microsoft and WordPerfect have focused their groupware efforts on the Windows market. Lotus's cc:mail client for OS/2 has been praised as better than its Windows version, with Freelance and Lotus 123 showing similar functionality. However, an updated OS/2 desktop suite is reportedly on the way.

Key Takeaways:

  • IBM and Lotus have partnered to sell the Lotus SmartSuite package for OS/2 and OS/2 for Windows through reseller channels.
  • The package includes Lotus 123 spreadsheet, Freelance presentation software, AmiPro wordprocessor, and a cc:mail electronic mail agent.
  • Lotus's cc:mail client for OS/2 is better than its Windows version, with Freelance and Lotus 123 showing similar functionality.
  • The introductory price of the package is $499 until June 30.
  • Regular upgrades from DOS to OS/2 2.1 or OS/2 2.0 to 2.1 plus SmartSuite will cost $549, while a stand-alone SmartSuite version 1.0 for OS/2 will cost $699.
  • The partnership highlights the need for OS/2-based software products, which have been overlooked by vendors in favor of Windows-based solutions.

Statistics:

  • The introductory price of the Lotus SmartSuite package is $499.
  • The regular upgrade price from DOS to OS/2 2.1 or OS/2 2.0 to 2.1 plus Smartsuite is $549.
  • The stand-alone SmartSuite version 1.0 for OS/2 costs $699.
  • The package is available through reseller channels.

Sources:

  • IBM, Lotus Australia managing director Steve King (no date)
  • The Sydney Morning Herald (no date)
  • BAJ Management Systems (no date)
  • Heinemann Publishing (no date)
  • Brainstorm Technologies (no date)
  • Chipcom Corporation (no date)
  • Advanced Components & Peripherals (no date)
  • Dayna Communications (no date)
  • Oki (no date)
  • Canon (no date)

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