MS targets small players

Software giant Microsoft has introduced a combination hardware-software offering designed to help SMEs weather the latest bout of financial flu, according to BusinessMirror.

Speaking at the launch of Microsoft's Windows Server 2008 Foundation, Microsoft GM for server and tools, Bill Hilf, said the new server software - sold in conjunction with brand-name hardware - provides “the most cost-efficient Windows server product available on the market,” since the entire package of server equipment and licensed software costs approximately P50 000 (R8 800) all in.

Microsoft's original equipment manufacturer partners in this endeavour include computer manufacturers IBM, HP, Dell and Acer, who will provide the hardware preloaded with the new server software.

Small businesses in every state in Australia have reported worsening business conditions, a survey shows, according to The Age.

National Australia Bank's small and medium enterprise business condition index for the March quarter dropped eight points, taking the index to minus-12 points, with businesses in every state reporting poor business conditions for the first time since 2007.

Companies are struggling under a local recession linked to the global downturn. The SME index stood at minus-3 in the final quarter of last year.

Sage India has joined forces with Biz2Credit in India, a business portal that connects small business owners to lenders, other entrepreneurs and for advice to alleviate financial problems, states PR-USA.

The Web site provides a secure environment for India's SME population to collaborate with lenders or other service providers to launch or grow their business.

Business owners interested in financing Sage product purchases can sign up and apply for credit on www.biz2credit.in and through their account, business owners can access loan options and work with lenders on the system, including public, private and micro and rural financial institutions.