Though Microsoft released both Windows Vista and Office 2007 simultaneously, both these elicited mixed reviews.

This time it has been more than six months since the release of Windows 7 and Office 2010 is just about to be released. There are high hopes associated with this release.

It has been reported that this weekend Office 2010 has reached the stage of RTM or Release to Manufacturing. This implies that the code is locked down and the software under the process of being sent to manufacturers, businesses and retailers.

Microsoft Office Vice President Takeshi Numoto stated, "Earlier today we reached the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) milestone for Office 2010, SharePoint 2010, Visio 2010 and Project 2010! Our Volume License customers with active Software Assurance (SA) on these products will be one of the first to receive the 2010 set of products”.

He shared that these customers will be permitted to download the products in English through the Volume Licensing Service Center which will commence on April 27.

The customers who do not have possession of SA will be able to buy the new products through Volume Licensing from Microsoft partners starting May 1.

Besides this, Office 2010 will be made available to customers on 12 May.