Sign in Subscribe
Software industry

Microsoft Commits to Mac Platform with Five-Year Agreement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

At the Macworld Conference & Expo 2006, Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit (Mac BU) announced a formal five-year agreement to continue developing Microsoft Office for Mac software for both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs. The agreement underscores Microsoft's long-term commitment to the Mac platform and paves the way for future collaboration between the two companies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The five-year agreement between Microsoft's Mac BU and Apple emphasizes the cooperation between the two companies and serves as a significant indicator of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the Mac platform.
  • The Mac BU outlined several upcoming improvements to Entourage 2004 for Mac, including support for Sync Services and Spotlight, as well as enhancements to Smart Card technology for secure e-mail messages.
  • The Mac BU plans to build converters to read the new Microsoft Office Open XML Formats, ensuring seamless cross-platform compatibility for Office for Mac users.
  • Microsoft's vice president of the Consumer Productivity eXperiences Business, Tom Gibbons, emphasized the company's commitment to the Mac platform, stating "We've had many years of success with Office for Mac, and this formal commitment confirms that we're in the Mac business for the long haul."
  • The agreement highlights the importance of Microsoft's Mac BU, which comprises over 180 full-time Mac product experts dedicated to creating innovative software for Mac customers worldwide.
  • The Mac BU has collaborated with Apple and other Microsoft teams for over 20 years to deliver leading-edge productivity software, with current products including Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, Entourage 2004, Word 2004, Excel 2004, PowerPoint 2004, and Messenger for Mac 5.0.

Statistics:

  • The Mac BU has been collaborating with Apple and other Microsoft teams for over 20 years to deliver leading-edge productivity software.
  • Microsoft's Mac BU comprises over 180 full-time Mac product experts.
  • The Mac BU plans to deliver converters to read the new Microsoft Office Open XML Formats for current versions of Office for Mac following the availability of the next version of Office for Windows.
  • The agreement between Microsoft and Apple is for a period of five years.
  • The Mac BU is expected to release new features for Messenger for Mac, including improved secure messaging and file transfers, in March 2006.

Sources:

  • Microsoft Corp.
  • Apple Computer Inc.
  • Tom Gibbons, vice president of the Consumer Productivity eXperiences Business at Microsoft
  • Philip Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide product marketing at Apple

Read more