Microsoft and Nokia announced an alliance on Wednesday to make Microsoft Office software available on Nokias Symbian devices.

The software and cell phone companies said Nokia will start offering Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on its smartphones next year, followed by other Office applications and related software and services in the future.With more than 200 million smartphone customers globally, Nokia is the worlds largest smartphone manufacturer and a natural partner for us, said Stephen Elop, Microsoft Business Division President.Stephen Elop of MicrosoftKai istm of NokiaTodays announcement will enable us to expand Microsoft Office Mobile to Nokia smartphone owners worldwide and allow them to collaborate on Office documents from anywhere, as part of our strategy to provide the best productivity experience across the PC, phone and browser.The move by Nokia will help it better compete against Research in Motion while making Microsofts Office software available to a much larger global audience.The two companies said the new partnership will not impact Microsofts Windows Mobile and Nokias Symbian operating system for smartphone. Nokia does not have plans to make a Widows Mobile device.The scope of the alliance between Microsoft and Nokia, and potential value for the enterprise and individual is significant, said Stephen Drake, VP of Mobility Telecom at IDC.By bringing Microsofts productivity solutions to Nokias large customer base, the two companies should be better able to serve the needs of the growing mobile worker population, which IDC estimates to reach 1 billion worldwide in 2011.