Making the web affordable for SMEs

Best buy for business will enable small businesses to purchase subscriptions cards for Microsoft office live services

Microsoft and Best Buy have announced a partnership to meet the needs of small-business customers who would like to establish a Web presence but are reluctant to create a site on their own.

Best Buy for Business will enable small businesses to purchase subscriptions cards for Microsoft Office Live services - designed to help businesses get online easily and affordably - at select Best Buy locations, online and over the phone.

Customers can receive a discount on the Microsoft Office Live monthly subscription fee, getting three months for the price of one.

Best Buy For Business technology professionals, who are Microsoft-certified, will also work closely with small-business customers to determine which of the collaboration tools and solutions best fit their business.

The Geek Squad 24-Hour Computer Support Task Force is available for business-grade technology support and can help Microsoft Office Live customers hit the ground running.

"Establishing and marketing your business online is no longer considered a luxury - it's a must as consumers increasingly turn to the Web to research products and services," said Brett McCommons, district business sales manager for Best Buy For Business.

"Most consumers spend nearly 14 hours a week online - the same amount of time they spend watching TV.

By combining the simplicity and reliability of Microsoft Office Live with the expertise available through Best Buy For Business, we've made it easy for small-business owners to create, maintain and market their Web sites".

IDC research found that by the end of 2006, of the 6.8 million businesses in the United States with fewer than 10 employees, only 4.2 million had a Web site.

Microsoft and Best Buy For Business created a partnership to help this technologically underserved portion of the small-business segment take advantage of the sales and marketing opportunities the Web provides.

Microsoft Office Live has already helped more than 250,000 small businesses establish an Internet presence with easy and affordable tools.

Microsoft Office Live, available in three editions, is a comprehensive and affordable set of easy-to-use, Internet-based software and services.

The product emerged from its beta-testing phase in November 2006 with new features to help small businesses with their sales and marketing needs, including Microsoft Office Live adManager beta; integration with Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007 and Microsoft Office Accounting Professional 2007; enhanced Web design tools and templates; more storage space; additional company-branded e-mail accounts and calendars; and the ability for customers and colleagues to use their own company domain name with Windows Live Messenger.

Microsoft Office Live Business Contact Manager, a tool to help small companies manage business relationships in an organised and effective way, is available now in subscription-based Microsoft Office Live offerings.

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