Expert: Scottgem - 7/8/2006

Question
Ms office is one software package we use at work
We also use Great Plains. We use Fox to write reports. Are Great Plains and Fox considered collaboration software packages? If not what are some examples of other packages and what would be a good alternative software package to MS office?
I am a student and just learning.
Thanks  

Answer
No Collaboration programs fall into the heading of groupware. Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange and Novell Groupwise are the main programs in this category.

In my opinion there is no true alternative to MS Office. However, Lotus Smartsuite and Open Office can provide some of the functionality of MS Office.

However, if you are looking for a collaboration platform, Office, with a Sharepoint server and Exchange for e-mail, calendaring and tasking is hard to beat. Lotus Notes is a viable alternative and in some ways is better than the Microsoft solution.

HTH
Scott<>