Office applications suite
In computers, an office applications suite, sometimes called an office suite, productivity suite, offimatic suite or integrated offimatic program, is a computer program or set of programs intended to be used by typical clerical and knowledge workers. The components are generally distributed together and able to interact with each other on a higher level than the operating system would normally allow, with a consistent user interface between the components.
Most office application suites include at least a word processor and a spreadsheet element. In addition to these, the suite may contain a presentation program, a database management system and minor graphics and communications tools. Newer variations on the office applications suite include an e-mail client, a personal information manager (or groupware package) and/or a graphics application suite.
The currently dominant office suite is Microsoft Office, the proprietary file formats of which have become a de facto standard for mainstream business use, resulting in vendor lock-in. As such, the ability to read and write Microsoft Office files in the formats is essential for any office suite seeking to displace Microsoft Office in the market.
Major office suites still available and in use
Historically important office suites
- Symphony
- Framework, one of the pioneers, from Aston Tate.
