Software Stan confirms Office 2000 prices

Microsoft has set pricing for Office 2000, due to ship during the second quarter of 1999, along with free upgrades to encourage new year sales. The software giant said Office 2000 Professional, Standard and Small Business suites would be consistent with Office 97 prices. And punters who buy Office 97 between January 1 and the official Office 2000 release date will be offered a free upgrade to Office 2000. Office 2000 Professional will be priced at $309 for users upgrading from previous editions of Office, $349 for those upgrading from competing products and $499 for new users. Office 2000 Standard and Small Business follow the same pattern, at $209, $249 and $499 for new users. Office 2000 Premium – including FrontPage 2000, PhotoDraw 2000, Word, Excel and Access – will go for $399, £499 and $799. Office Developer will cost $609, 649 and $999. The free upgrades will be available via an electronic coupon on Microsoft’s Web site. ®