San Francisco, May 13 (IANS): Software giant Microsoft Corp. has rolled out its latest version of application software, Office 2010, for customers across the world.

The company also announced Wednesday the release of Microsoft SharePoint 2010, a web-based collaboration software, as well as the new version of diagramming programme and project management software, Xinhua reported.

"Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 define the future of productivity," Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft's business division, said.

"With the 2010 set of products, organisations will save, innovate and grow as their people benefit from working across the PC, phone and browser," Elop said in a statement.

The launch of Office 2010 also marked the debut of Office Web Apps, which includes web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, and it enables users to edit and share documents online.

The Office Web Apps, which is seen as Microsoft's answer to Google Inc.'s Web-based applications, is expected to hit the retail stores in June.