MS targets dealers with improved OLP package

Microsoft is desperate to pep up sales of Windows 95 and Office 95 after it admitted that its incentive schemes were not working as planned.

The software company has launched an improved package which offers dealers marketing funds and gift vouchers if they commit to a sales target for 32-bit licences within its Open Licence Pack (OLP) scheme.

Chris Lewis, reseller group manager for Microsoft, said: 'We are not confident that the existing OLP scheme has sufficient incentives to move people to migrate to Windows 95. We probably need a catalyst around our MOLP business and Windows 95.' For every Open Licence Pack sold within that target dealers receive #50 in marketing funds to support the scheme, and #50 in gold vouchers which can be redeemed at high street stores, and a further copy of Windows 95 for resale.

If dealers exceed the sales targets set for OLP, they receive #75 in marketing money and also in gold vouchers, instead of #50.

Microsoft has reduced the entry level for MOLP from 50 to 25. The campaign, which kicked off on Monday, will end on June 1.

Microsoft's six-month check-up of Windows 95 has ironed out most of the problems with the initial product and has added some extra features.