In my experience in work there are thousands of documents written in powerpoint or MS word that should be done in DTP software. Fuck the way people abuse text boxes in word. Most people just don't know they have it, or have to request it from IT, and remember what their budget code is, even though it's probably included in their license. I won't use it because of no one else knows they can get it; I'd be giving them all an excuse never to edit the document and they'd just commission me to make all changes in it, forever. They'd probably use it as an excuse not to read the document either.

Similar problem with Visio, people using smart art in ppt to create what should be a flowchart. Unfortunately i cant not use visio, and no one else will ever request it, because they're arseholes'.

I agree there is better software available - but non specialist businesses are unlikely to procure that, so publisher is basically the only option. And once publisher is available the business case for anything better becomes harder to make.

MS is rarely the best for any specialist use, but I think they just wanted office to tick a load of boxes for generalist procurement so it wins "vfm" choice for procurement teams who don't care or know what their users need. As long as office is the defacto choice for businesses, they've achieved their goal.

I guess they've realised publisher was never really a material factor in office suite choice.