Microsoft Office 2016 has been officially launched in Malaysia, and is now available in over 300 retail stores across the country. The updated version of Microsoft’s productivity suite now includes a new applications known as Sway, which is intended to help people put together presentations (and is technically an alternative to Powerpoint).
Microsoft’s New World of Work survey also discovered that 83-percent of Malaysians working in SMEs want to be able to dictate where and when they work. Despite this 69-percent of respondents find that their workplace does not support them doing this. With this in mind Mobility and remote working is yet again at the core of Microsoft’s message for the new Office 2016.
Office 2016 is available as a one time purchase for both PC and Mac; with Office Home & Business retailing for RM1,099 and Office Home & Student retailing for RM449.99. Subscribers to Office 365 will already be able to access the new applications and features. However, it looks like the dropping exchange rate has affected the price of the subscription. For the moment, an annual Office 365 Home subscription will cost RM299.99, up from RM249.99; while Office 365 Personal is now at RM219.99.
To celebrate the launch of Office 2016, Microsoft is holding weekend promotions at 13 stores in the Klang Valley. Visitors to these stores will be able to win exclusive prizes, although Microsoft has declined to say what the prizes are. The next two weekend promotions will take place on 17/18 October and 24/25 October.
The participating stores are All IT Hypermart (in Digital Mall, Suria KLCC, and Plaza Low Yat), Thunder Match Technology (Digital Mall, Mid Valley Megamall, and Plaza Low Yat), SNS Network (Mid Valley Megamall and One Utama), and Micosoft Authorised Resellers in Suria KLCC, Plaza Low Yat, Gardens Mall, Sunway Pyramid, and The Curve.
