Tuesday, November 04, 2008 Microsoft offers SMEs scheme to buy software
THE local unit of software giant Microsoft is offering a financing scheme to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) become more competitive amid the global economic crisis by enabling them to use genuine technology.
The scheme, dubbed the Microsoft Financing Program, is designed to assist Microsoft Philippines’ customers in its small and mid-market solutions and partners (SMSP) segment.
Microsoft Southern Philippines marketing manager George Parilla said that the program will address the needs of several SMEs that want to invest in information technology (IT) investments and upgrade their system and software without compromising their cash flow.
Since the program started on Oct. 1, he said that existing, as well as new customers, that have businesses in retail, IT and manufacturing, among others, have expressed interest in applying for the program.
Under the non-collateral scheme, SMEs can purchase P250,000- to P1 million-worth of Microsoft products with a 30 percent down payment. The balance will be paid in installments within nine months with no interest.
This amount may cover the purchase of a combination of different Microsoft software. Qualified applicants can immediately use the products upon making the down payment.
The offer, available from Oct. 1, 2008 to March 27, 2009, is available for Microsoft software purchased via Open License, Open License with Software Assurance & Get Genuine Windows Advantage (GGWA).
Parilla said an SME can already buy 10 GGWA licenses and five Microsoft Office Small Business Edition licenses with his P250,000.
Microsoft cited a recent World Bank study, which showed that only four percent of small businesses and 10 percent of medium-size enterprises were able to avail themselves of financing from banks. This prompted Microsoft to offer the financing scheme for SMEs.
“Technology helps organizations become more effective and makes it easier for them to expand…. Unfortunately, not all organizations, particularly SMEs, can afford to purchase technology outright. This challenge is what we are trying to address through the program,” explained Mic-rosoft Philippines SMSP director Louie Castaneda in a statement. (NRC)
