MICROSOFT LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS SOFTWARE SUITE
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based Microsoft Corp. introduced the small business version of its Office 97 software suite to the North American market earlier this month. Called Microsoft Office 97 Small Business Edition version 2.0, the software suite includes Word 97, Excel 97, Publisher 98, Outlook 98 and Financial Manager 98, which is a tool for making pricing and inventory management decisions, as well as for creating financial projections and industry comparisons. The program also features Expedia Streets, which is a street-level mapping and travel information product, and tools to help small businesses hook up to the Internet. In Canada, Office 97 Business Edition version 2.0 will be promoted using print ads in business publications and English-language radio ads. The radio ads will air in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. The print ads will be published in such magazines as Profit, CA, Engineering Dimensions, Canadian Underwriter, IT Blues and PME. The print ads were created by Communiqué, while the radio ads were a joint effort between Communiqué and Pirate Studio. The Media Company handles the media portion of the account, while Hill & Knowlton handles PR. All the agencies are based in Toronto.