Microsoft Releases First Beta of "Office 11"

Next Version of Office to Connect People, Information and Business Processes

REDMOND, Wash. -- Oct. 22, 2002 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the first beta release of its next version of Microsoft® Office, code-named "Office 11." Expected to ship in mid-2003, "Office 11" is a significant step forward in the delivery of Microsoft's vision for improving information worker productivity. New technologies in this version of Office enable information workers to connect more effectively with people, information and business processes, thus enhancing the overall productivity of an organization.

"The key word to describe 'Office 11' is 'connected,'" said Joe Eschbach, vice president of the Information Worker Product Management Group at Microsoft. "It's about connecting people with all the disparate sources of information in their work environment, with the processes necessary to complete their jobs, and with the other people they rely on to complete projects and make decisions. In short, it's about making them more productive by removing unnecessary barriers to success."

More details from Microsoft here