Users could benefit from significant savings on Office and
Windows XP after Microsoft announced new discounts on software
costs for those purchasing before the end June.
In the run-up to the end of its financial year, Microsoft is
offering a 15% discount on purchases of Windows XP Professional
upgrades and Office 2003 software made under its Open or Open
Subscription licences.
According to analyst firm Gartner, users will not have to buy a
Software Assurance maintenance contract to gain the savings.
Gartner estimates the promotion gives companies buying 250 Windows
XP upgrades similar levels of discount to those buying 5,000
upgrades.
The analyst firm advised small businesses that were considering
buying Office products or upgrading to Windows XP before the end of
2004 to take advantage of the Microsoft promotion. It also urged
mid-sized companies looking to buy Office software or upgrade to
Windows XP to assess whether the promotion's pricing was better
than their usual discount.
John Handby, chief executive of user group CIO Connect, said
Microsoft was softening its licensing terms. "Now is the time to
negotiate. Microsoft is aware of the open source movement, which is
stronger than it was a year ago," he said.