For example, the company showed a tag developed by United Parcel Service Inc that lets Office users click on a package's tracking number found in an e-mail or document and link to information on the parcel's whereabouts. Another, from Walt Disney Co's ESPN network, provides access to sports statistics.
The smart tags are an early step in Microsoft's new .Net Internet strategy, which aims to enable different programs, Web sites and devices like cellphones and organizers to be linked via the Internet and share information.
Microsoft is holding more than 100 events worldwide in the next few days to mark Office XP's release. Gates was joined on stage at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York by Amazon.com Inc.
Chairman Jeff Bezos, whose company is implementing Office XP.
Ford Motor Co Chief Information Officer Marv Adams discussed how the automaker is using the program to better communicate with suppliers using the Excel spreadsheet software in Office and Microsoft's server programs.
Microsoft released six programs that work with the basic Office suite, including SharePoint Portal Server 2001, which combines with Office XP to let companies find and publish information on a Web page.
The company also released Outlook Mobile Manager, which lets users choose which e-mails or appointments they would like to be notified about via cellular phones or pagers.
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