Click here to print this pagePrint
Microsoft Corporation Article View
On the File menu, click Print to print the information.
Microsoft Corporation
IV. Application Software

As sales of MS-DOS took off, Microsoft began to develop business applications for personal computers. In 1982 it released Multiplan, a spreadsheet program, and the following year it released a word-processing program, Microsoft Word. In 1984 Microsoft was one of the few established software companies to develop application software for the Macintosh, a personal computer developed by Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft’s early support for the Macintosh resulted in tremendous success for its Macintosh application software, including Word, Excel, and Works (an integrated software suite). Multiplan for MS-DOS, however, faltered against the popular Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program made by Lotus Development Corporation.

Reviewed By:
Michael A. Cusumano, B.A., Ph.D.
Sloan Management Review Distinguished Professor of Management at the Sloan School of Management of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts; author of The Business of Software (2004) and Microsoft Secrets (1995).
"Microsoft Corporation," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
© 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.