MS expands licence scheme

All change for Redmond's volume licensing programme

Microsoft is changing its proposed volume licensing programme following talks with its reseller partners.

From this month the vendor has taken over negotiation, billing and payment collection for future software releases.

Instead of its large-account resellers being paid directly by customers, they will now be paid a set fee by Microsoft.

Microsoft's Software Assurance scheme allows users to upgrade to the latest versions of software released in the term of an agreement.

Although originally intended to cover XP upgrades only, the scheme has now been extended to cover Office 2000 customers as well. Microsoft has also extended the licensing transition period from February 2002 until July.

Dave Simpson, sales and marketing director at Microsoft reseller Softcat, said: "Before, the licensing transition period did not allow for the tax year end, leaving firms unable to budget for software upgrades. Now they can."