Fierce software rivals Symantec and Network Associates are unveiling duelling new 'suites', bundling together some of their best-selling PC utility programs.
Both companies are emulating the example of Microsoft, which dominates the market for productivity software for the PC through its integrated Microsoft Office package, even as they gird themselves against encroachment from the software giant.
Network Associates claims that buyers of its McAfee Office suite will save 70 per cent compared with buying all of the included products separately, while Symantec claims buyers of Norton Systemworks will save 40 per cent.
Both software packages combine popular functions such as Windows 95/98 system management utilities, virus protection and hard disk crash protection.
Norton Systemworks includes well-known programs like Norton Utilities and Norton Antivirus, as well as newer offerings such as Uninstall Deluxe and Crashguard, in a single $1,037 package, which is temporarily available for $799. For those who already own any of the individual applications, an upgrade version costs $468.
McAfee Office, from Network Associates, combines VirusScan, encryption software called PGP Security, an Internet-performance enhancer called Hurricane, a Year 2000 fix-it called 2000 Toolbox, and more. It will cost $749 when it is available late next month.
Network Associates' local sales manager Ringo Poon said Office was more powerful. 'Systemworks doesn't have encryption. It doesn't have a Y2K fix. It doesn't speed up Internet performance,' he said.