Microsoft Indonesia launches Office 2003
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A little over a month after the initial launching in New York in October, PT Microsoft Indonesia launched on Tuesday a set of new computer applications called Microsoft Office System 2003.
The system is a compilation of programs, servers, services and solutions that will integrate business processes to increase individual, team and organizational productivity.
The applications have a better integrated system than the previous version of Office XP. Basic applications such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook have been upgraded with better functions. Two new applications -- InfoPath and OneNote -- were introduced during the launch as well.
"OneNote integrates functions and applications related to handwriting recognition and digital ink just like in Tablet PCs, although you don't have one," said President Director of PT Acer Indonesia Jason Lim.
Meanwhile, InfoPath enables users to exchange and share information as well as edit documents online, thus saving more time and increasing efficiency, especially for corporate users.
AIG Lippo IT Associate Director Ignatius Hartono said that insurance policy applications processing can be reduced from one or two days to only a few minutes. Management reports can be generated in half the usual time and policy issuance time can be sped up.
Rosniar Basir from Astra Buana insurance said that the system used by her company had reduced the number of servers from five to three, therefore reducing costs in software licensing as well.
"It is predicted that users in Asia can gain more productivity, from 12 to 72 percent, using this application, and it will save approximately US$4000 per year because of the efficiency," said Microsoft General Manager for the Asia-Pacific and Greater China Region, Oliver Roll, during the presentation.
The first Asian countries to get the new Office System were India and Korea, with the same launch date as in the United States. Microsoft has also launched the system throughout the rest of the Asia, such as in Korea, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.