Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will add and enhance benefits to its maintenance offering, Software Assurance (SA). The new benefits, scheduled to be available to customers in March 2006, demonstrate Microsoft�s commitment to listen to customer feedback and extend the value of SA beyond that of a typical maintenance offering, which includes only support and upgrades, to a more comprehensive offering that helps ensure customers have access to support, new version rights, technology and comprehensive resources throughout the life of their software.

Software Assurance now includes 18 benefits across five phases of the software life cycle: planning, deployment, usage, maintenance and transition. Several new and significantly enhanced benefits will further help customers stay connected with Microsoft for support assistance and take advantage of services that help assess business value, deploy Microsoft� Office applications and the Microsoft Windows� operating system, train IT professionals, and better integrate the capabilities of the Windows platform.