Office 2003: Worth A Look
The CRN Test Center took a quick look at the suite's many new features and what they offer solution providers and their customers. The Test Center will review each of the applications in more depth in the near future.
One of the most significant developments in Office 2003 is its use of XML, which makes the suite an excellent developer's tool and allows data to be easily shared between applications and users.
The introduction of InfoPath 2003 in the suite has provided an important new direction in developing enterprisewide applications. InfoPath is a client-driven XML form editor that integrates with XML-driven data sources from Access and SharePoint Services, and eases Web services development. Developers can now have their Access applications available to multiple users across networks without having to depend on network directories, and can publish forms that are linked to databases directly to the Web.
Microsoft added so many improvements to FrontPage 2003 that it should no longer be considered an HTML editor for novice users and should now give rival Macromedia Dreamweaver a run for its money. Users can create XML data-driven Web sites or Web services in four easy steps, and can publish them to SharePoint Services sites with little understanding of XML or XSLT. Data inside XML files is kept live because XML files are linked to databases, not copied into the pages.
Outlook boasts the most noticeable upgrades, including vastly improved e-mail organization, search capabilities and mail filters. Users now can prioritize particular e-mail messages and easily set up folders based on specific criteria. The new Outlook features an improved dual-pane screen that allows simultaneous access to both e-mail messages and menus.
Test Center engineers were also very impressed with the new OneNote application. Tablet PC users can take advantage of OneNote's pen input and Ink capability, and others can use it to easily input, organize and retrieve information regardless of format. Typed text, handwritten notes or diagrams, recorded audio and graphics can be manipulated and easily tied together.
Word and Excel remain relatively unchanged, other than being embedded with XML and having enhanced GUIs and user experiences.
PowerPoint now includes a thesaurus, support for smart tags and Ink, and better multimedia support with full-screen video.
The new Office suite also includes Information Rights Management (IRM) technology, which allows people to limit how particular documents and e-mail messages are used. Users can also now send faxes automatically from any Office application.
Overall, the Test Center was impressed with Office 2003 and recommends it to solution providers.
MICHAEL GROS contributed to this story.