NEWS: MS Offers Word Support for Former WordPerfect UsersID: Q111717
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This article contains the text of the February 16, 1994, press
release entitled "Microsoft Offers New Support Option for Former
WordPerfect Users Moving to Word for Windows."
For Release 6 a.m. PST
February 16, 1994
MICROSOFT OFFERS NEW SUPPORT OPTION FOR FORMER
WORDPERFECT USERS MOVING TO WORD FOR WINDOWS
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REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 16, 1994 — Microsoft Corporation announced
today that on February 22nd it will roll out a special telephone
support option for former users of WordPerfect(R) for MS-DOS(R) who
switch to Microsoft(R) Word for Windows(TM). Callers to the standard
support service for Microsoft Word will be given the option to
connect to a support engineer specifically trained on WordPerfect
product and customer issues. The new telephone support option was
created to assist the more than one-million users of WordPerfect who
have already moved to Microsoft Word for Windows as well as those
expected to make the switch.
"With the recent WordPerfect Corporation announcements that they are
ending their lifetime free support and discontinuing development of
their MS-DOS-based word processor, we wanted to prepare for an
upsurge in interest in Word from WordPerfect users," said Pete
Higgins, senior vice president, desktop applications division at
Microsoft. "We believe this new support option will help ensure that
WordPerfect users moving to Word get their questions answered quickly
and effectively."
Over the past two years, Word has emerged as the new word processing
leader, garnering both critical acclaim and increasing market
success. In January, Word was named the best selling word processor
for 1993 by Dataquest (based on preliminary estimates of worldwide
revenue), and just this month, Word for Windows version 6.0 won both
the InfoWorld and Windows Sources word processing comparative
reviews.
New Support Option Focuses on Issues
Important to Former Users of WordPerfect
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The new support option for former WordPerfect users will focus on
getting users comfortable, as well as helping them with file
conversion and other transition issues. The designated support
professionals at Microsoft undergo comprehensive training to gain a solid
understanding of WordPerfect features and terminology. This knowledge
allows the professionals to best meet users' needs.
Microsoft Word Designed with Former Users of WordPerfect in Mind
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Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows includes a number of features created
specifically for former users of WordPerfect. The Help for
WordPerfect feature lets users enter a familiar WordPerfect command
and then watch as Word for Windows demonstrates how to perform the
equivalent function in Word--enabling users to learn as they work.
The robust file import and export is based on research compiled from
more than 1,000 documents collected from users of WordPerfect. Word
for Windows even has a "Reveal Formats" similar to WordPerfect's
Reveal Codes feature.
"We know there can be some concern when moving to a new product, so
we've done everything we can to make former users of WordPerfect feel
comfortable in their new environment," said Chris Peters, vice
president, Office business unit at Microsoft. "If they need product
support, they'll find top-notch professionals trained to meet their
needs."
Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows is available as a standalone product
or through the Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office Standard Edition
for Windows includes Word, Microsoft Excel, the PowerPoint
presentation graphics program, and a workstation license for
Microsoft Mail (server software available separately). Microsoft
Office Professional Edition for Windows includes all of the above
plus the Microsoft Access database management system.
In addition to this enhanced level of technical support for
WordPerfect users, all users of Microsoft desktop applications have
access to unlimited, no-charge telephone support via toll lines, 6:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. One convenient
phone number reaches Microsoft technical support services for all
programs in the Microsoft Office.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed
with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to
take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
For More Information, Press Only:
Julie Briselden, Microsoft Corporation, (425) 882-8080
Carolyn Lathrop, Waggener Edstrom, (425) 637-9097
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a
trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corporation. Additional query words: marketing winword word6
Keywords :
Version : 6.00
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : Last Reviewed: July 6, 1999