IBM signs up with the OpenOffice project

IBM is to join the OpenOffice open source business suite project, at the same time agreeing to contribute code from its Lotus Notes messaging platform and integrate OpenOffice file formats and other technology into its enterprise software.

OpenOffice is an open-source productivity suite originally created by Sun in 2001. It is also the basis for the StarOffice business software suite. As with Microsoft Office, OpenOffice it includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database modules, as well as a set of drawing tools and a standalone equation editor.

Unlike Microsoft Office, it uses the ODF standard as its native file format, but supports all other common file formats, including Microsoft's legacy Office formats.

Mike Rhodi, general manager of IBM's Lotus division, said that its contribution of technology and engineering resources would provide visible benefits for OpenOffice users. "We're particularly pleased to be teaming with the community to accelerate the rate of innovation in the office productivity marketplace," he says. "We also believe that the collaboration will lead to an even broader range of ODF-supporting applications and solutions that draw from the OpenOffice.org technology."

IBM's involvement will increase ODF's chances of becoming the de facto document standard, according to OpenOffice executives. "We welcome IBM's contributions to further enhancing the OpenOffice.org product," says John McCreesh, OpenOffice.org marketing project lead. "But equally important is IBM's future commitment to package and distribute new works that leverage OpenOffice.org technology supporting the ISO ODF standard. ODF is a once in a generation opportunity for the IT industry to unify round a standard, and deliver lasting benefit to users of desktop technology."

Rich Green, executive vice president of software at Sun, was similarly enthusiastic. "In the seven years since Sun founded the project, OpenOffice.org has fuelled and filled the need for document data and productivity tools that are open and free," he claims. "Open source software and ODF are having a profound impact around the world, with numerous communities and organisations coming together to support these initiatives and governments, and corporations and schools standardising on the software."

OpenOffice runs on all major operating systems, including Windows, Vista, Linux, Solaris, Mac OS X and is a free download from OpenOffice.org.

ODF was recognised as an international standard in May 2006. The ISO's approval contrasts with its decision last week not to fast track approval of Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) format. Critics of Microsoft argue that OOXML is not a truly open format and is "designed to operate fully within the Microsoft environment only".

Microsoft disagrees and argues that multiple standards are preferable to a single format.

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