When Microsoft first announced their Vista licensing plan, it seemed like large enterprises would be the first to get a taste of the new OS in late November, with SMBs and consumers alike having to wait until January. I'm sure that a few SMB customers balked at the thought of having to wait an extra two months, just like the unwashed masses of Windows peasants, while enterprises get to dig in early. Well, it appears that Microsoft hasn't forgotten about their SMB customers after all: The software giant will begin offering Windows Vista Business Edition and Office 2007 Small Business Edition to SMB customers on November 30th, exclusively through the retailer CompUSA. A minimum of five licenses must be purchased through Microsoft's Open Business and Open Value volume licensing programs. "We know that more than 50 percent of small businesses shop for software at retail stores. Our expanded relationship with CompUSA enables those businesses looking to purchase five or more licenses to more easily take advantage of our Open Business and Open Value offerings," said Cindy Bates, general manager of the US Small Business Group at Microsoft. To purchase the licenses, SMB customers will have to make arrangements with a CompUSA sales associate.
For more on the SMB licensing program:
- see this Ars Technica article
