Microsoft launches Global 'Office Ready' initiative

New Delhi

July 20th, 2007

Microsoft Corporation announced the launch of its global 'Office Ready'
initiative in India as a part of the post launch go-to-market strategy for 2007
Microsoft Office. The initiative is aimed at enabling partners enjoy a
simplified licensing policy, reduce inventory management and support cost; and
offering more opportunities to sell products and services profitably. From a
customer perspective, the initiative will allow the customers to experience the
complete features of Microsoft Office Professional 2007 for 60 days before
making a purchase decision.

The Office Ready initiative makes it easier for partners to sell Microsoft
Office suites with a new PC. System builders can purchase Microsoft Office
Medialess license kits from distributors and OEM's, install the Office Ready
image on their PC's and sell them with a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office
Professional 2007 to the customers. Once the customer has tried the enhanced
features of the new Office 2007, they can buy the product key for the suite of
their choice from the reseller anytime with in or post the trial period.

Commenting on the launch, Pankaj Ukey, Office System- Product lead, Microsoft
Corporation India, said, "The success of Microsoft Office 2007 in the
Indian market is very encouraging for us. The launch of this initiative marks a
significant step forward in our go-to market strategy in India. This initiative
will allow our partners to sell PCs with pre-installed trial version of original
Office; cutting down their inventory and support cost significantly resulting in
increased profitability. We are confident that the initiative will help us drive
much wider adoption of 2007 Microsoft Office in India." Microsoft has a
partnership with four OEMs including HP, Lenovo, Acer and Toshiba for 'Office
Ready'.