Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 will be made available on the market prior to the general availability on January 30 2007. The Redmond Company will introduce Microsoft Open Value and Microsoft Open Business licensing options in an initiative addressing Small Businesses across the United States. For this, Microsoft has teamed up with CompUSA. Small Businesses purchasing five or more licenses of Vista and Office 2007 will be able to do so from CompUSA stores even by the end of 2006. The program will debut concomitantly with Windows Vista business availability on November 30, 2006 in select CompUSA locations, but the software giant reveled that more retailers will be added to the program in 2007.

"With all the pressures they already face on a daily basis, we know how much a small-business owner appreciates being able to get fast, knowledgeable advice on choosing products that can make their work easier as well as save them money," said Bill Maddox, executive vice president of business and technical services at CompUSA. "Together with Microsoft, we're enabling our customers to satisfy their technology and licensing needs in one simple visit to a nearby CompUSA store."

Small Businesses can opt for either Open Business or Open Value licensing options and acquire a Microsoft Small Business Value Program Kit and a proof of purchase.

"We know that more than 50 percent of small businesses shop for software at retail stores. Our expanded relationship with CompUSA enables those businesses looking to purchase five or more licenses to more easily take advantage of our Open Business and Open Value offerings. These offerings also enable small businesses to purchase Windows Vista Business and Office Small Business 2007 on Nov. 30, ahead of the general availability in late January," said Cindy Bates, general manager of the U.S. Small Business Group at Microsoft. "We think this new offering with CompUSA provides a simplified and affordable process for small businesses to purchase technology. It's part of our ongoing commitment to make the right solutions available to our small-business customers across their full range of requirements."