Microsoft will officially launch Office 2010 to businesses at an event slated for May 12, the company announced today. Microsoft Office 2010 has been receiving rave reviews for its features and performance. New Office will be a 64 bit version which will aide performance and stability. There are several new features on the new software, notably a high level of customization and integration with web 2.0.

Enterprises with volume license agreements will be able to obtain the finished product that same day, Microsoft added. Office 2010 is set to go on general sale to consumers and business without licensing deals sometime in June.

Microsoft also unveiled a program that provides a free upgrade to Office 2010 for customers who purchase the older Office 2007 between now and Sept. 30.

Sharepiont 2010 will also be announced on the same day. The new sharepoint is being touted as “The Business Collaboration Platform for the Enterprise and the Web” by Microsoft. Microsoft's official blog explains. "We decided “Collaboration” was broad enough to cover the spectrum of publishing, sharing, finding, analyzing and managing information that SharePoint enables. We chose “Platform” not only because custom solutions are a major focus of the 2010 release but also "platform" conveyed a solid base for all the out-of-box usage that never requires a developer.

Release to Manufacturing (RTM) is expected to be in April.