Microsoft Corporation Offers New Financing Programs to Assist Small Businesses with Technology Investments
Sixty-two percent* of small businesses feel cost is the number one barrier to increasing their productivity. TurfLogic, Humane Wildlife Control take advantage of new technology loans from Microsoft to help grow their business.
MISSISSAUGA, ON - November 15 2006 - Microsoft Canada Co. has announced two new programs that will more easily enable small businesses to make IT purchases and upgrade their software. These initiatives will offer small businesses technology loans from Microsoft Financing and lower the cost of entering the Microsoft Open Value License program. Small business enrolled in the program will be able to gain access to Software Assurance that provide customers new versions of eligible licensed software, phone support 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the ability to spread payments annually over the duration of the agreement.
Microsoft research showed that although many small-business owners are intensive credit card users, customer feedback indicates that most prefer to use third-party financing or leasing over using cash or credit cards when making IT purchases. For this reason Microsoft Financing is lowering its minimum transaction limit from $10,000 to $3,000 (CAN) to deliver an all-inclusive technology financing program for large and small customers and partners. Reducing the transaction limit enables qualifying Canadian customers to obtain a 36-month loan for comprehensive IT solutions, including hardware, services and Microsoft® software. Small business owners that take advantage of the new program before June 30, 2007 will also be eligible for a 90-day deferred payment option.
“Microsoft Financing helped my business enhance our technical capabilities at a time when our cash flow was stretched due to the seasonal nature of our business,” said Rob Corey, President, Turf Logic, a nation-wide lawn care franchise for residential customers. “We now have a single technology financing provider and one monthly payment, which help simplify our IT costs.”
Microsoft Financing also assists technology partners and Small Business Specialists such as Interprom Inc. and Integrated Business Intelligence Corp. to effectively reach their sales targets and deliver the solutions that customers need.
“Microsoft Financing is unique because it helps my customers invest in technology solutions they previously believed they couldn’t afford,” said Gavin Steiner, president, Interprom Inc. “Through this new initiative, Microsoft demonstrates its commitment to help small business access the technology they need from Microsoft software to hardware and services.”
In addition to the new financing options, small business owners seeking a software upgrade can now take advantage of the Open 3 Licensing promotion that lowers the cost of entry into the Open Value License program. Until March 31, 2007, small businesses only need to purchase three licenses versus the standard five licenses. The Open Value License program offers customer discounts on the majority of their software purchase, the ability to transfer a software license from one machine to another and to track and manage their software licenses online; plus access to several Software Assurance benefits.
“Customer and partner feedback were key drivers in helping Microsoft create these new offerings. We know that it can be a challenge for a small business owner to find extra budget when they need to make a technology purchase for their business,” said Andrea Van Leeuwen, small business group manager, Microsoft Canada Co. “The new offerings enable customers to buy what they need to move their business forward and to manage the costs in a predictable and affordable way.”
*The online poll of 855 small business owners (small business was defined as 20 or fewer employees) across Canada was conducted in September 2005 by Ipsos-Reid.
About Microsoft Financing
Microsoft Financing is a financing arm of Microsoft Corporation that is dedicated to making it easier to purchase Microsoft products through financing. Microsoft Financing works with commercial financing institutions to deliver optimal customer financing solutions. More information about Microsoft Financing for small business customers can be found at www.microsoft.ca/smallbiz/finance/default.mspx
About Open 3 Licensing
Enrollment in Microsoft Open Value License usually requires your business to acquire 5 licenses. For a limited time, this number has been reduced to 3. Microsoft Open Value License is a volume licensing program designed, in part, for Small Businesses who want to upgrade their software. More information about how Open 3 and Open Value Licensing for small business customer can be found at www.microsoft.ca/smallbiz/buy/open-license.mspx
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Microsoft Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with MSN.CA offices located in Toronto, and eight regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's Web site at www.microsoft.ca
©2006 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
