Microsoft changes sales agreement conditions with system builders, dealers

Microsoft SA system builders and dealers - of which there are an estimated 2 500 - have been given a fillip with the announcement that the software vendor has made significant changes to previous sales conditions, allowing the sale of Microsoft operating systems "almost without restriction".

Said Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy and legalisation drive: "In terms of our new Authorised OEM Distributor Product agreement, dealers and system builders are able to sell operating systems if the end-user buys just one piece of hardware, such as a Microsoft mouse, cable or keyboard.

The new systems builder sales agreement came into affect on 1 January, 2001.

Reynolds also pointed out that the new sales model goes a long way towards simplifying the entire purchasing process for the end user, as well as bringing the price down "substantially".

By making it easier - and cheaper - for end users to obtain legal operating systems, the software vendor is hoping more users will turn their back on the use of pirated or illegal software - a situation that is causing grave concern for software companies around the world.

Commenting further, Reynolds said the new software model instituted for system builders and dealers should result in "a healthy increase for revenues and profits within the channel".

The new sales model is being introduced around the globe.

Customers or resellers with questions about the legitimacy of Microsoft products should contact the Microsoft toll free line at 0860 2255 67, or visit the company`s web-site at http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/piracy/howtotell

Customers and resellers can also obtain information about software piracy by calling the Business Software Alliance`s (BSA) anti-piracy hot line at 0800-110-447, or visit the BSA`s current truth campaign web-site at www.bsa.co.za/truth, or send e-mail to info@bsa.org.