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Microsoft Bends on Small Biz Software Licenses

Open Value licensing program offers the equivalent of "zero-down" financing for customers looking to spread out software payments.

Matt Berger, IDG News Service

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Microsoft 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 spokesperson said Tuesday in an e-mail.

Currently, customers who sign up for the Redmond, Washington, company's enterprise licensing agreements, known as License 6.0, have to pay an up-front fee in addition to annual fees over the life of two- or three-year contracts. Microsoft enacted that new licensing model in July and has received mixed reviews for it from customers and analysts.

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 spokesperson said.

Mixed Messages

However, research company Gartner said in a research note last week that Open Value is slated to go into effect on March 1, 2003 and will be available to customers with up to 500 PCs. Microsoft wasn't immediately available to comment on the discrepancy.

A similar program launched in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in September 2002, according to Gartner.

Open Value will appeal to small and medium-sized businesses that plan on upgrading more than every 3.5 years, or those who want to standardize on Microsoft software, Alvin Park, a research director with Gartner, said in the research note.

To reach small- and medium-sized customers with the plan, Microsoft has implemented a training program for its channel partners, who will be able to sell the plan to those customers, the company said.

Until its availability in 2003, some Microsoft customers will be able to take advantage of a similar "no-money-down" offer through financing programs set up by outside creditors, Microsoft said.

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