Wait before deploying Microsoft Open XML Format

Microsoft's decision that MS Office 12 should contain a new type of file represents, in the opinion of the analysts from Gartner, one of the most obvious clues regarding just how important the new version is for the company from Redmond.

Gartner published a report signed by Michael Silver and Rita Knox analyzing the possible impact the new version and the new Microsoft Open XML format will have on companies.

The report underlines the fact that conversion programs allowing previous Office suites to work with the new format will be available before the actual launch date of Office 12, which analysts foresee for the second half of 2006.

Although Microsoft Open XML will be free-of-charge, Gartner considers that problems might still occur. The analysts draw the attention on the fact that, although Open XML won't be a proprietary format, the specifications of the rendering-engine from within the Microsoft programs will not be open-source, which means that third-party applications will not be able to open documents generated by Office 12 with 100% accuracy, or to run all macros.

That is why Gartner advises companies not to migrate towards the new suite earlier than three months from its launching date, in order to avoid any operational problems.

The analysts also say that, besides the new format, very little is yet known about the new Office, in order to asses whether the migration towards this suite is opportune or not.

The original report may be found here.