People Companies Version Offer Software Gmail Introducing Product

Companies often want to "test" (see how well something works) their new products before they "release" (make available) them to the "general public" (all people; ordinary people). That way, they can identify and correct problems less expensively and with little or no impact on their "brand image" (the opinions that people have about a company or product). This is especially true for technology companies.

Many technology companies offer "beta versions" of their products. A beta version is software that isn't completely finished or tested, but people agree to use it anyway, reporting any "bugs" (errors in a computer program) to the manufacturer so that they can be fixed. Eventually the beta version is "modified" (changed) and improved until it can be sold to the general public.

Other companies offer their products by invitation so that they can "limit" (put restrictions on) who has access to it. Gmail is a good example of this. When Google "launched" (started; introduced) its email program, it was done by invitation. Only people who received invitations could open a Gmail account. In this way, Google could "monitor" (observe) how a small number of people were using Gmail and make changes as needed before there were too many accounts.

Finally, some companies offer their software as "freeware" (software programs that can be used without paying a fee). Companies allow people to use and try their software, and at the same time, the company continues making improvements. When the company feels it has enough people interested in the software and/or has a version that it believes people will buy, the company may then make the final version available for sale.