Microsoft makes products affordable via financing

In its bid to entice Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of technology to cope with the tough economic environment, Microsoft Philippines rolls out an effective financing facility for cost-conscious entrepreneurs.

"SMEs need to invest in technology in order to survive, but cash flow difficulties have hampered them from investing into all-genuine software products," said Microsoft Philippines marketing manager George Parilla.

In a press briefing, Parilla said this financing scheme recently rolled out by Microsoft will run in partnership with its resellers all over the country.

Microsoft's in-house financing provides that it will give discounts to its partner resellers, and software loan applications will be coursed through resellers. However, applicants must undergo a credibility evaluation by Microsoft.

"Approval of loans will come from us. Internal process like credit investigation will be done by Microsoft," Parilla said.

In Cebu, wherein most of the businesses fall in the SME category, this program is expected to attract large number of interested parties. He said Microsoft has recognized the financial constraint of SMEs, thus most of them are not employing all-genuine software products. In fact, some are still using "pirated."

Microsoft's financing program, allows small businesses to acquire expensive Microsoft software with a small initial investment.

The Bill Gates-led company has provided a loan cap, with zero interest rate from P250,000 to P1 million per entrepreneur.

Parilla said the financing program makes software more affordable for businesses by allowing them to spread their payments over several months and preserve their capital.

Customers only need to pay 30 percent of the costs of the software outright. The rest of the amount can be paid over nine months.

"This financing scheme is available for Microsoft software purchased via Open Licence with Software Assurance and Get Genuine Windows Advantage or GGWA," Parilla said.

About a quarter of a million pesos can buy 10 Microsoft Vista operating system licenses and 10 Microsoft Office licenses, more than enough for a small business. — Ehda M. Dagooc