Wohl also said that users don't have to choose between Microsoft Office applications and support of ODF, despite Microsoft's current policy not to support the standard. Various third-party add-ins allow Microsoft Office to work with ODF, she said. "IBM is cutting into Microsoft's space only as far as Microsoft doesn't choose to adopt the standard," Wohl said.

Ken Bisconti, vice president of IBM Workplace products, said the company is adding ODF to Notes to offer more choice for customers. "There has been a lot of resentment" from users who feel forced to upgrade to business-productivity applications with new features they don't want, he said.