Microsoft bends on small-business licenses
InfoWorld | at | by Mike
Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that it will launch a program early next year aimed at easing the financial burden for small- and medium-sized companies that sign multi-year contracts to license its software. Called Open Value, the licensing program will allow some customers to spread out software payments over a period of three years when purchasing products such as the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office. It is comparable to "zero-down" financing, a Microsoft spokeswoman said Tuesday in an e-mail.
Microsoft said Open Value will be available in North America in early 2003. Eligible customers are those with anywhere from five to 250 PCs, the spokeswoman said.