Tesco software will be different to existing products

Concerns have been raised by software makers over Tesco's entry into the home computer software business.

The supermarket announced at the beginning of October that it would shortly begin selling a range of PC applications under the Tesco brand. The company has joined with British software distributor FormJet, which distributes the Ability and Panda ranges in the UK.

David Emm, of anti-virus company Kaspersky Lab, told Computeractive: "It's a recognition that security issues are gaining in public recognition. That's a good thing. However, with them branding software, it takes them into the issue of how they support customers. The support is every bit as important as what's in the box."

A representative for Formjet said that it has been working with Tesco for 12 months on the new range, adding: "The software has been fine-tuned to fit with Tesco's requirements."

Updates to the anti-virus engine will be automatic, the company says, and technical support will be provided by email and over the telephone via Tesco's customer service centre. Formjet, which will provide the support, says it has " beefed up" its support centre to deal with enquiries.

The representative added that the new products won't directly compete with the products the company already sells, such as Ability Office. The Tesco range is expected to cost less than £20 per title, a price significantly lower than that of the existing products.