Although we’re waiting with baited breath for the next version of Microsoft’s Office suite, which is due out towards the end of 2006, the latest edition of Works Suite has just arrived.

Before looking at the package in detail, we’ll briefly cover what’s included. Brace yourselves, as there’s a lot of software.

Works itself is obviously here. Unlike Office 2003, Works is an integrated package covering spreadsheets, databases, a personal organiser and a bunch of task-based templates.

Then there’s Microsoft Digital Imaging (a competent image editor suitable for beginners), the navigation software Autoroute Essentials and Encarta Encyclopedia Standard. All these titles are 2006 versions.

You also get Microsoft Money 2006 to sort out your personal finances and Pocket Streets for Smartphone or Pocket PC.

If you’ve noticed we haven’t mentioned word processing, don’t panic. The Works Suite, unlike plain Works, which has its own word processor, comes with a full copy of Word 2002. All in all, it’s a decent collection of software.

Once installed, the Works home page opens with a tabbed calendar and contacts pane – your current Windows address book will be added to the latter. Above this are chunky buttons providing quick access to templates.

You’ll find links to finance templates, programs and program-specific templates (such as a fundraising spreadsheet or a recipe database), projects including moving house or running a sports team that involve more than one program, and a history of recent files.

If you’d rather launch a program directly, there’s a set of quick-launch buttons on the right.

The spreadsheet component is fairly basic. Unlike in Excel, you can’t have tabbed worksheets, but the 75 functions and 12 chart types should be enough for the average user. Again, the huge range of available templates makes it all very easy to use, even for beginners.

The database is a simple flat-file program, as opposed to a more advanced relational database system, but templates make it easy to keep track of your CD collection or wine cellar, for example.

Although it’s not designed to compete with Adobe Photoshop, the Digital Imaging package has some useful features, such as buttons to automatically correct problems like poor exposure and colour balance. You get a professional-style ‘unsharp mask’ control that is used to sharpen a soft image.

There is also a variety of extras in terms of frames, calendars, greetings cards and so on in which to house your photos.

Encarta is obviously a big draw. We were astounded when we first reviewed it back in 1993, and it’s just as impressive today. Where else can you research your homework on Ovid and listen to a clip of Little Richard singing, all from one offline application?

Although online versions are available, the included Microsoft Autoroute offers more functionality and is faster than web-based route-mapping services. The maps cover the whole of Europe in great detail, and it delivers informative navigation instructions, complete with maps, almost instantaneously.

The addition of Word 2002, together with the Visual Basic for Applications programming language, raises the standard for a sub-£100 suite. This isn’t the latest version, but since Word 2003 only runs on Windows XP, this will appeal to a wider user base.

Works Suite 2006 is a well-integrated, finely crafted suite crammed full of useful applications. The interface is intuitive and, if you do get stuck, there’s plenty of help, including a comprehensive animated tour.

System requirements:
200MHz processor
128MB Ram
1.5GB disk space
Windows 98SE or later (Windows 2000 SP4 or later for Encarta)