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The powerful tape technology can address data security with tape encryption as well as long term data protection.
Discover what disk and tape really cost -- and which solution provides lower total cost of ownership and optimizes energy use for your organization
The Clipper Group explores the truth behind the myths of tape, digging into the misconceptions in the disk vs. tape debate.
Over two thirds of disk-only users look to add tape back into storage infrastructure according to recent survey.
Microsoft is offering a new subscription model to small businesses that will allow them to use the company's software for less cost than the currently available licensing model.
The plan, called Open Value Subscription program, is part of Microsoft's effort to give small businesses more flexible and affordable options for purchasing software, said Cindy Bates, Microsoft's general manager for U.S. small business.
The new plan costs about a third of the license-only expense for the current licensing program open to small business, called the Open Value program, Bates said. The plan is cheaper because Microsoft offers upfront discounts for software purchased through the subscription program, and also allows customers to increase or decrease pricing over the three-year subscription period if their business needs change, she said.
Open Value Subscription includes Microsoft's Software Assurance program, the company's software maintenance and support program for business customers.
Microsoft defines small businesses as those with 50 employees or fewer. Bates called 50 employees the "break point" for when a company hires IT management. Up until that number, "usually it's the business owner or office manager" handling the IT system, she said.
Businesses will be able to sign up for the Open Value Subscription program beginning in March, Bates said. Microsoft products available through the program include Microsoft Office Small Business, Office Professional +, Windows Vista Business Upgrade, Small Business Server Client Access License (CAL), Core CAL, Desktop Professional Suite and Small Business Desktop Suite.
As part of its small-business outreach, Microsoft also this week is unveiling a partner program called "Big Easy," which invests about US$10 million in subsidies to small businesses purchasing products through partners.
Through the program, small businesses purchasing certain products through authorized specialist partners will get a certain percentage of money back that they can use to purchase other services from those partners, Bates said.