The exclusive worldwide distribution rights to sell, market and distribute Ability Office, the popular suite of low cost office software products developed by Ability Plus Software Ltd, have been acquired by Formjet plc, the recently AIM listed licensed software vendor.

Ability Office delivers a comprehensive package of integrated applications that are ideal for small and medium sized businesses, home offices and the education market. It is one of the best-established and most cost-effective alternatives to Microsoft Office available on the market today.

 
The five products in the Ability Office range will be marketed worldwide by a new company, Ability Software International Ltd, which has now been created by Formjet.

Formjet is well known for its expertise in acquiring territorial rights to ‘alternative’ software products, which it then markets, sells, distributes and supports in the UK and internationally, standing in place of the vendor. Other software applications within its UK portfolio include Panda anti-virus and internet security software and FileStream backup protection solutions.

The key focus for the newly formed Ability Software International will be the recently launched Ability Office Professional, which encompasses Ability Write, Ability Spreadsheet, Ability Database, Ability Presentation, Ability Photopaint and Ability Photoalbum.

Commenting on the acquisition, Lyndon Chapman, Chairman and Chief Executive of Formjet, said, “The potential market for Ability’s office software suite is enormous.  The fact that we can provide PC systems builders with a product to pre-install at a fraction of the cost of competing products is already generating serious interest.  The product is extremely competitive in the retail market, requires no re-training and is easy to install - which makes it ideal for PC users within businesses of all sizes.

“Our intention is to roll out the Ability product line into some 50 countries worldwide within two years to take full advantage of our significantly lower cost for office software.”

Chris England of Ability added, “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to expand the user base for Ability Office Professional throughout the world.  Formjet’s expertise in the development of alternative software titles will help to propel Ability Office into a new league and introduce it as a practical, economical and fully functional alternative to established office software products.”