Microsoft notes small biz efforts in procuring genuine software
by Prix D Banzon
Davao City (15 February) -- Microsoft Southern Philippines has noted the willingness of small businesses in Mindanao to go legal on software application that they use in their business operations.
George Parrilla, Microsoft Southern Philippines marketing manager told Davao reporters that they are not against businesses considering the open source but he said most of them are looking at the cost of operations first before they embark on other application.
He said some of these businesses that consulted with them expressed their concern of the cost of procuring genuine software and going to open source that turned out to be more expensive.
Retraining and hiring new manpower he said will turn out more costly than just buying the products that are legal.
The Microsoft has come up with legalization package of office application tool where they could update the software through free download.
He also said that they already came up with affordable packages like the Get Genuine Windows Agreement (GGWA) for small and medium organizations specifically designed for their business processing needs.
With the authorities running after violators of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), he said customers are discovering Windows desktop license compliance issues and asking for reasonable way to address them.
He said as this developed Microsoft is offering a solution to customers who want to resolve Windows XP Professional compliance issues through Volume Licensing.
The first step Parrilla said is for the customers to understand whether they are at risk because many are unaware they may be victims or counterfeit of unlicensed software. (PIA) [top]
