It is virtually impossible to do business today without the implementation some form of 'office' software. From a small SME simply typing a proposal to a large corporation preparing financial reports, office productivity software in their various forms and function are an essential part of any business enterprise.
However, premium office software comes at a cost. Individuals and SMEs can often not afford these office suites or are forced to purchase limited or 'lite' versions which offer less functionality. This is where free or open source office software makes for a welcome alternative, but is free office software 'the business'? Here are just a few examples of various free office productivity software products available and are worth trying out before making a decision to purchase an office suite.