Office trial could cause channel conflict
MS-Watch | at | by Mike
Microsoft's Office Test Drive program has grown so successful, the company is increasingly competing with its PC manufacturer and retail partners.
The number of people converting Office Trials to full product increased 196 percent between 2004 and 2005 and 105 percent between 2005 and 2006, according to NPD.
"Microsoft is now one of the leading retailers of its own product," said Chris Swenson, NPD's director of Software Industry Analysis. "I don't think the industry is aware how successful the trial conversion program has been over the past couple of years." Microsoft offers the Office Trial by two methods: Pre-installed on new PCs or by direct download from its Website. The trial version works for a limited time with some limitations on functionality. Microsoft directly fulfills conversions to the Office suite.