Microsoft Disputes Google's Claim That Office 2010 Lacks Collaboration

Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has responded to Google's claims that Office 2010 and Web Apps lack the cloud-based collaboration capabilities available in Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Apps and Google Docs.

But Google contends that Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft's updated productivity application suite, and Web Apps, the cloud-based components of Office that features cloud versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, offer only limited real-time collaboration capabilities in the cloud. Most collaborative functions, Google said, are only available via the desktop versions of Office 2010 applications.

Microsoft, however, disagreed, highlighting some of the "co-authoring" capabilities of Office 2010, but stopped short of highlighting its collaborative features.

The Office 2010 represents a significant leap forward, a fact that the 8.6 million users who have downloaded the beta agree with."

Google also took issue with Microsoft Office 2010's pricing, noting that Google Apps Enterprise Edition runs $50 per user per year and includes Google Docs, while Google said Office Professional 2010 runs $499, but there are a host of other added costs like SharePoint 2010 software, client access licenses and other hardware. Vander Mey called Office 2010 costs "complicated" and "obtuse."

Microsoft on Tuesday wouldn’t disclose the pricing for business customers of Office 2010, noting that each Enterprise Agreement is different, but said Office Business 2010 runs $199, while Office Professional runs $349 to $499.

The back and forth between Google and Microsoft comes as the two tech powerhouses battle in the cloud. Google was first to fire, calling into question Office 2010's collaborative capabilities and urging Office 2007 users to upgrade to Google Apps and Google Docs instead of Office 2010. Google also highlighted its acquisition of DocVerse, a plug-in that enables Web-based collaboration within Microsoft Office desktop applications.

Meanwhile, Microsoft dismissed Google's claims that it can seamlessly integrate Microsoft Office documents with Google Docs.

Source: crn.com