CHESHUNT, UK: Mighty Tesco, the dominant force in UK retailing, has thrown down the gauntlet to the dominant force in global software - the even mightier Microsoft. Scheduled for launch later this month at one hundred stores, Tesco's own-label software will roll-out nationwide over the ensuing twelve months.

Pricewise, it cuts the ground from beneath MS Office Home Edition, which retails online in the UK at £300-plus ($561.50; €442.60), while its cut-down variant MS Works sells at around £50. Tesco's offering will be priced at below £20.

But there's cheap and cheaper.

Truly dedicated bargain hunters will turn to OpenOffice, a multiplatform, multilingual office suite supported by Sun Microsystems. Available via download it is unbeatably priced at zilch, nix and nought.

Other products in the new Tesco software range include two security/anti-virus programs, a personal finance tool, CD/DVD burners, and photo editing - all on offer at below £20 each.

Supplying the Tesco range is FormJet, headquartered in Crawley UK. The firm will also provide a one stop platform incorporating technology and customer support; and also manage the TescoSoftware.com website.

Comments Tesco buyer Daniel Cook: "Our new range of software ... [brings] choice and value to the market that has offered little of either for too long. Whether running a home office or helping the kids with homework, Tesco Software can help."

Data sourced from MediaGuardian.co.uk; additional content by WARC staff