Microsoft announced that it would keep Custom Support pricing for 2009 at the level of 2008, in a move designed to support suffering customers impacted by the global economic downturn. In fact, it was feedback from customers that generated the perpetuation of custom support prices from 2008 in 2009. The software giant emphasized that businesses around the world, adversely affected by the global financial crisis, would be able to enjoy cost savings and consistent product support throughout 2009.

“Microsoft understands that customers have to make difficult fiscal decisions on a daily basis in this turbulent economy. Therefore, in response to the feedback provided by valued customers, Microsoft is announcing flat year-over-year (YOY) pricing for Custom Support in 2009,” the company revealed.

The Redmond company has a tradition of offering comprehensive support for its products spread over long period of times. In fact, the software giant even provides support for products and service packs that have theoretically reached the end of it. This is done through the company's Custom Support program. The strategy is meant to ease the transition from legacy applications that have survived in IT infrastructures past their support expiration date until companies are ready to migrate to newer, supported solutions.

According to Microsoft, its Account Managers will contact customers that have inked Custom Support agreements in order to deliver additional information. Although the global economic crisis has left even the Redmond giant suffering, having missed revenue estimates by approximately $900 million, the company seems keen on offering a recession break to its customers. “Pricing for Custom Support includes an annual enrollment fee that normally escalates YOY, with the pricing published three years in advance. However, in response to the current market downturn and customer needs, Microsoft will NOT increase the price of Custom Support in 2009, but will maintain the 2008 pricing,” the software manufacturer stated.