One of the most important application suites for the Mac OS platform, Microsoft Office, continues in availability for Mac users on the Intel platform.

Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, disclosed at the MacWorld Expo the newest agreement, which will keep Cupertino and Redmond working together for five more years. An AP report said the pact has Microsoft developing Office for Mac for the new Intel-based hardware Apple produces.

Office for Mac has allowed Mac users to use their beloved platform in enterprises with an overwhelming majority of Windows users. Office documents can be shared between Windows and Mac Office users without compatibility problems.

There were no financial terms announced for the agreement, but that’s due to money not being involved in the deal. Scott Erickson, director of product management and marketing for Microsoft’s Mac business unit, said in the article the agreement was made to let Mac users know Office would be there on the new platform:

“What we wanted to do was just put to rest the question of, `Hey, are they going to be around now that (Apple is) making a major switch to Intel?'” Erickson said.
Though many Apple fans enjoy bashing Windows and Microsoft, they may not realize that Microsoft is a big developer of software for the Mac, and has been so for many years. A dedicated Macintosh Business Unit at Redmond has the largest Apple software development group outside of Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.

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David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.