14 DAY TRIAL // Over half a year after it wrapped up the development process for Office 2010 RTM, Microsoft is ready to move on and start work on the first major upgrade for the productivity suite.
According to the Redmond company, the Beta testing program for Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is planned for debut by the end of 2010.
Invitations have already been sent out to a select pool of Beta testers that are close to the software giant.
Early adopters are invited to participate in a very exclusive testing program for Office 2010 SP1 Beta but also for SharePoint 2010 Beta.
“We are contacting you about an opportunity to participate in an upcoming Beta testing program. You may be a previous tester of Microsoft products, or someone who has been nominated,” reads the email sent by the Microsoft Office Customer Programs Team.
“Beta programs are unique ways to experience product updates and provide feedback to the development teams.
“Later this calendar year we will begin an invitation-only beta testing of the Service Pack 1 for Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010.”
Microsoft does not specify when exactly it plans to allow testers access to Office 2010 SP1 Beta and SharePoint 2010 SP1 Beta.
Still, it appears that testers will get their hands on the Beta bits sometime ahead of 2011, in the next couple of months.
“Service Packs contain product updates since the product released. We would like to invite you to participate in the private testing of that service pack,” it is added in the invitation.
But just because testers receive invitations, it does not mean that they are automatically accepted in the Beta testing program for Office 2010 SP1 Beta and SharePoint SP1 2010 Beta.
“If you are interested in participating in this Beta, and if you are already using Office 2010 or SharePoint 2010, please complete the application survey by following the link below [I will jnot share this link with Softpedia readers],” reads the email from the software giant.
“Upon completing the survey, your participation status will be set to ‘pending’, while we review your submission. If you are selected to participate, you will receive a formal invitation to join the program.
“Due to the limited number of seats in this private Beta, we may not be able to accommodate all interested testers.”
Office 2010 was released to manufacturing in April 2010, and hit general availability in June.
Office Home and Business 2010 RTM Build 14.0.4760.1000 is available for download here.
Office Home and Student 2010 RTM Build 14.0.4760.1000 is available for download here.
Office Professional 2010 RTM Build 14.0.4760.1000 is available for download here.