Microsoft has released to manufacturing (RTM) its Office 2007 suite in readiness for launch later this month. The software giant has also added last-minute features including the ability to send SMS text messages from Outlook.

Office 2007 is a major overhaul of Microsoft's productivity suite, featuring a new task-focused user interface and several new server products as part of the wider Office 2007 System line-up. It is set to be officially launched along with Windows Vista on 30 November, with immediate availability for volume business customers. Retail availability is still set for January 2007.

The RTM means that the software is finalised and ready to ship, but Microsoft has added a last-minute feature in the shape of SMS support in the Outlook 2007 email client. This will allow users to send and receive email, contacts, appointments and tasks as text messages to mobile phones, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft also said that customers will be able to add support for a second language just by applying a single add-on pack that updates all applications in the suite. UK Office Product Manager Darren Strange said this made extra languages easier to
deploy for IT departments.

"With Office 2007, we created a neutral core of functionality, with everything language-specific inside the language packs. If you need more than one language, you simply deploy an extra language pack," he said. The packs add a second localised user interface, help files, dictionary and thesaurus.

The Outlook Mobile Service works by forwarding messages to the sender's mobile service provider for delivery as SMS texts. Users subscribe through Microsoft's Office Online web site by choosing from a list of supported carriers.

This will be available only to customers of US-based networks at first, but Microsoft intends to extend the service by signing up UK carriers to support the feature, according to Strange.

The service enables workers to exchange emails with users that might only have a basic phone handset rather than a smartphone, Strange said, and can also be used to send reminder alerts for appointments.

Microsoft said it plans to make available a free trial version of Office 2007 later this year. This will be offered as a download as well as installed on new PCs, and will offer customers the ability to try out the suite before buying.