Office's Knowledge Worker

Microsoft plans to relaunch a its Office Online Website aimed at what the company calls the "Knowledge Worker." Jeff Raikes, Microsoft's group vice president for the Information Worker division, revealed the plans during Microsoft's annual financial analysts meeting, today. Microsoft also hopes to use the revamped Website to create communities of Office users around vertical markets, such as accountants.

The move is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to reposition its Office System line of products as informational tools and development platforms for third-party developers. Microsoft is putting less emphasis on individual applications and product features and more emphasis on what people can do with Office System. The strategy also synchs with other products, such as development of Windows Longhorn. Earlier, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates discussed "scenarios" the company is using to develop Longhorn. One scenario might be a teenager interested in listening to music. Microsoft has taken a similar approach to Office System, looking at information scenarios Office users confront daily.

The distinction between features and scenarios seems subtle, but is actually more complex. The scenario focus means that Microsoft is shifting away from adding new features simply for the sake of adding new features to looking more seriously at how people use or would want to use the products.

Raikes repeatedly used "information work" to discuss Microsoft Office development.

Posted by Joe Wilcox at July 24, 2003 01:12 PM