Microsoft to delay Office 2007

By TODD BISHOP
P-I REPORTER

Microsoft Corp. is pushing back the release of the next version of its widely used Office programs, citing the results of internal testing and feedback from people using preliminary versions of the software.

The company said it now plans to release Office 2007 for businesses by the end of this year, and for consumers early next year. Previously, Microsoft had said it would issue the business version in October through its Volume Licensing program, and the consumer version in January.

Microsoft declined to detail the specific reasons for the delay.

The Office programs are Microsoft's second-biggest moneymaker, behind the Windows PC operating system. The company has already delayed the retail release of the next version of that program, Windows Vista, until January.