te type of application. In this way, users could input data into an Access database, chart it using an Excel spreadsheet, copy the chart into a Power Point presentation, and e-mail the entire presentation using Microsoft Word to create the transmission memo (DeVoney, 1997, p. 83).
Several so-called office suites are now available, including SmartSuite by Lotus and Office by Microsoft. These suites combine word processing and spreadsheets with a variety of other components which may vary depending on the combination selected by the user. Thus a user of Microsoft Office might choose the package which includes Word and Excel (word processing and spreadsheet programs which are found in all Office options) along with Power Point (presentation software) and Access (a database management program). Or, a user might choose Microsoft Publisher instead of Access if there is greater need for a desktop publishing program instead of a database manager. Regardless of which vendor or component combination is selected, users can share information across the various applications within the suite, and can quickly switch from one suite application to another using shortcuts and toolbars (DeVoney, 1997, p. 83).
Microsoft, a leading software vendor, includes Word and Excel in all of its suite combinations. In addition, Microsoft Outlook and Exchange (scheduling and communication software) is also included. From there, the user can select additional components from Microsoft's pre-packaged Office versions. Available versions for Office 97 included the Small Business Edition and Office 97 Professional (which included Word, Excel, Access and Power Point).
In Office 97, Microsoft introduced an animated Office Assistant which offers context-sensitive help throughout all of the Office components. In addition to making suggestions for help topics based on the actions currently being performed, the Office Assistant includes a search feature which ...