Today web-based word processor Zoho Writer moves further into Microsoft Word’s territory with the announcement of offline editing capabilities. Zoho enabled offline read-only review of documents in August. With features like this, Zoho’s office apps might someday entirely replace Microsoft Office in the toolbox of many web workers.
But other online word processors take what looks like a complementary approach. For example, recently-announced Live Documents integrates web-based editing and collaboration with Microsoft Office using an “embrace and extend” strategy. And Google Docs, at least for now, serves mainly for real-time collaborative editing of lightweight online documents. Read more at Web Worker Daily
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1:00 PM PT
[...] are more than covered by all the “big names”, including TechCrunch, Read/WriteWeb, GigaOM, /Message, Digital Inspiration, CenterNetworks, Webware.com and Wired - to name just a [...]
7 comments so far
7:35 AM PT
Zoho seems to lead ahead but rimider me that still there is need to work offine, a.k.a. desktop app. I more prefer working offline because I didn’t comfortable using web app, the thing that relay on web browser and internet. But for collaborative editing reason Zoho is good. My team work on an excel on offline mode (ms office) then we upload excel file to Zoho for realtime teamwork editing. I think (for my specific need) Live Doc will fill this gap.
9:28 AM PT
Replace Microsoft Office?.. the pondering of it per se is already absurd, /ac.
10:35 AM PT
Zoho need to get their act a bit more together if they have this ambition. Just releasing hundreds of different things doesn’t really cut it. They have a bunch of different access points and different applications relate to eachother in different ways. It’s a bit of a nightmare trying to use it in anger. We tried to use various Zoho bits for a live project, but although we really loved the functionality, we just couldn’t get it to work properly for us. I think the report says ‘must try harder’.
2:30 PM PT
I agree with the sentiment that Zoho needs to get its act together. They are currently offering a pile of online apps and tools, but they don’t feel like an integrated suite. In fact it appears that each was written independently from the rest. They look and behave differently from each other. That said, it is a very interesting development to have online apps start to encroach on their desktop counterparts. I’m still wondering when Google will use gears in their own online office tools.
4:25 PM PT
@Ivan, @JohnNull, Thanks for your feedback. Yes, we are working on getting the suite more integrated and coherent. With each update, we are getting closer. One reason things seem to take longer on the integration side is that our first priority is to make each application an excellent stand-alone tool focused on its job - I call it “depth-first” strategy. This is based on our understanding that users would use Zoho tactically (as a pain-killer) before they would adopt it strategically (as an integrated suite).
9:46 AM PT
Sridhar, I appreciate your comment. Your strategy makes sense. You really have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time. I will keep and eye on Zoho’s development with keen interest.
11:32 AM PT
I think Zoho provides a terrific service. But I don’t see it replacing MS Office anytime soon. I think that’s a huge extrapolation to say the least. Zoho can certainly work well for those who don’t have MS Office. But for those who do (which is about 500M users) its hard (next to impossible) to get them to switch. Btw, Google Docs has 500-600kK users (despite Google’s muscle).
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