Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) announced that Microsoft Outlook 2001 is coming to the Mac. Kevin Browne, general manager of the MacBU made the announcement during a keynote speech today at Macworld San Francisco.
Outlook is a messaging and collaboration client designed to address the need for a single messaging and collaboration client by letting users find, organize and view all of their information in one place using a consistent interface. That info includes e-mail, contacts, personal distribution lists, a calendar, meeting planner, tasks, and notes. It’s targeted to those who need group calendaring, scheduling, and task management. It’s tied to Exchange Server.
“This is the kind of product that the MacBU strives to develop,” Browne said.
Jensen Harris, program manager, Microsoft, demoed Outlook 2001 for the Mac. He said it was “the most ambitious Mac product we’ve ever produced.” It has the same exact data format as Outlook for Windows to make the sharing of info between the two platforms seamless, he added.
“We’ve worked hard to make this a world class Mac app,” Harris said.
Browne also announced the Office 2001 Service Release 1. The update ensures it “runs great” on Mac OS 9.1 and in the Classic environment of Mac OS X. The service release is coming in months.
Browne expressed Microsoft’s commitment to the Mac, pointing out that the company has supported the platform since 1985. It also seems that Mac users are increasingly more accepting of Microsoft offerings. And over a quarter million copies of Office 2001 have been sold since its introduction earlier this year. The general manager pointed out that Microsoft’s Mac offerings are gradually increasing, including keyboards, trackballs, and mice.
It was announced that the MacBU and MYOB, the folks behind AccountEdge, would be working together on promotions targeted to the small business/home business (SOHO) market. Integration between AccountEdge and Office 2001 was demonstrated.
The MacBU will be working with Epson over the next few months. Andreas Goehring, product manager, Consumer Printing Solutions, Epson, said that Epson and Microsoft would be working together on bundling solutions. Goehring also said Epson was introducing a new US$199 Stylus Color 8 Cubed printer designed specially for iMac and Cube owners.
Browne said that he was “blown away” by Apple’s announcements on Tuesday. It’s a great time to be a software developer for the Mac platform, he added.
In addition, Macworld has announced a strategic relationship with Microsoft that will provide their customers with improved access to news and information about Microsoft’s line of Mac products.
The two companies will be working closely together to integrate Microsoft product news, reviews and information from Macworld’s editorial content into Microsoft’s Macintosh-focused Web site, MacTopia. This relationship will keep customers better informed about Microsoft’s Macintosh products on both MacTopia and Macworld.com, according to Andy Gore, editor-in-chief of Macworld.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with Microsoft to bring our editorial expertise to their Macintosh customers,” said Gore.
And in the interest of full disclosure, please note that Macworld is a part of Mac Publishing, L.L.C., which also owns the MacCentral, MacWEEK, Macworld, and MacwordPriceFinder Web sites.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.