IBM plans to introduce the IBM Lotus Symphony set of programmes at an event in New York on Tuesday. The programmes will include software for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, the company said in a statement.
The software supports multiple file formats, including Microsoft Office and Open Document Format. IBM, also world’s largest computer-services company, has relied more on those types of programmes for growth, with software accounting for about 20 per cent of revenue last year.
The programmes will be available immediately, said IBM Spokesman Mike Azzi.
Microsoft’s Office suite of products already faces competition from Google's online tools, called Google Apps.

Powerpoint
Google’s own new gauntlet
Washington: Google Inc. introduced software to create and share presentations over the Internet, challenging Microsoft Corp’s PowerPoint programme.
The feature, available in 25 languages and now included in Google’s bundle of free business applications, allows several people to work on a set of slides at the same time. Google said in April it was working on this project and unveiled it on the company’s blog on Monday.
Google, owner of most popular search engine, is pushing further into Microsoft’s territory by offering software online that rivals Microsoft’s Office. Google has sought to lure users with features for its mapping and business programs, competing with Yahoo! Inc. and Microsoft for advertising revenue.