In the aftermath of the Windows Vista and Office 2007 commercial availability, Microsoft has identified the opportunity to expand its volume licensing programs, in an effort to streamline customer research, budget and purchase. It is not a coincidence the fact that Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, outlining the company's growth opportunities at the Financial Analyst Briefing on February 15, 2007, focused on the desktops in the corporate environment. In this regard, the Redmond Company has revealed that it is introducing enhancements to the Microsoft Product Licensing Advisor (MPLA), the Forrester Software Assurance ROI Tool and the Microsoft License Statement (MLS).

"Initially launched in November 2005, the MPLA was developed in response to direct customer feedback requesting information, clarity and transparency related to Microsoft licensing and pricing options. This tool works by providing comparisons of each volume-licensing program and guidance through a series of questions, similar to other online wizards. It then produces a downloadable report and estimated retail price quote, as well as a financing quote from Microsoft Financing, offered in Microsoft Office Word or Excel format," explained Joe Matz, vice president of Microsoft's Worldwide Licensing and Pricing Group.

Microsoft has added more languages to the MPLA and has increased the volume of Microsoft Dynamics product-related information included in the tool. Moreover, the Forrester ROI business case analysis tool designed to reveal the value of Software Assurance, has been enhanced with training vouchers, the Home Use Program, and eLearning.

"The Microsoft License Statement enables customers to see how many purchases they've made from Microsoft through volume licensing and view how many licenses they have for infrastructure, how many upgrades they need to buy, et-cetera. This License Statement is an inventory sheet of sorts and until now, has only been available by customer invitation only," Matz added.