IBM Lotus SmartSuite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SmartSuite is an office suite from IBM's Lotus Software group. IBM purchased Lotus in 1995 and Lotus made versions for IBM's OS/2, as well as Windows versions.
The following applications are included in SmartSuite for Microsoft Windows:
- Lotus Word Pro — word processor (prior called Ami Pro).
- Lotus 1-2-3 — spreadsheet.
- Lotus Freelance Graphics — presentation software.
- Lotus Approach — database.
- Lotus Notes — multiplatform e-mail client.
- Lotus Organizer — personal information manager.
- Lotus SmartCenter — internet information manager.
- Lotus FastSite — web design software.
- Lotus ScreenCam — recording of screen activity for demos and tutorials.
- 1994 — 2.1 (Ami Pro 3.0, 1-2-3 4.0, Freelance Graphics 2.0, Approach 2.0, Notes 3.0 and Organizer 1.1)
- SmartSuite 3.1 (Windows 3.11) — (Lotus 1-2-3 vers. 5, Approach 3.0, Ami Pro 3.1, Freelance Graphics 2.1, Organizer, ScreenCam 1.1).
- (199x) — SmartSuite 97 — Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 (1-2-3 97, Word Pro 97, Approach 97, Freelance Graphics 97, Organizer 97, ScreenCam 4.0)
- (1999) — SmartSuite Millennium Edition (9.5) — (Organizer 5.0, Fastsite release 2, WordPro Millennium Edition, 1-2-3 Millennium Edition, Freelance Graphics Millennium Edition, Approach Millennium Edition, SmartCenter and ScreenCam).
- Latest version: SmartSuite Millennium Edition 9.8. Fixpack 3 was released in October 2005.
The SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp 4 is basically a port of the Windows edition, and contains the five main applications (Word Pro, 1-2-3, Freelance Graphics, Approach, Organizer). Some functionality has been left out, such as synchronization with handheld computers, and ability to read and write Microsoft Powerpoint files. Latest version: 1.7.2. Fixpack 3 was released in 2004.
[edit] IBM versus Microsoft
Because of IBM's purchase of Lotus (SmartSuite was a competitor to MS Office) IBM was punished by Microsoft so that IBM wasn't granted OEM rights for Windows 95 until 15 minutes prior to the release of Windows 95[1].Because of this uncertainty, IBM machines were sold without Windows 95, while Compaq, HP and other indulgent companies sold machines with Windows 95 from day one.
