If you’re a small business achingly stuck with an outdated IT infrastructure that’s hindering your opportunities for growth, you may be in luck.
Microsoft has launched the Get2Modern SME IT Makeover Contest, where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore will stand a chance to modernize their operations with free Windows 8 Pro notebooks and tablets, one-year Office 365 Small Business Premium subscription (for up to 20 users) and migration services from an authorized Microsoft partner worth US$6,000. The winner of the Singapore contest also gets to qualify for an Asia Pacific-level contest, where an overall winner will be crowned by votes across the region in July 2013 and will receive an additional US$9,000 worth of Windows 8 Pro notebooks and tablets, one-year Office 365 Small Business Premium subscription (for up to 20 users), Windows Server 2012 Standard with OEM hardware, as well as additional migration services from an authorized Microsoft partner.
“SMEs make up over 99% of organizations and employ seven out of every 10 workers in Singapore. They form the backbone of the economy as they contribute significantly to productivity, export and revenues,” says Vincent Wong, Director of Small, Medium Business & Partner Group, Microsoft Singapore. “Yet, many are stuck with old technology and processes which do not address today’s needs for increased collaboration, higher productivity for a multi-generational workforce and security. Our goal through this multi-pronged effort, is to make it more compelling for SMEs to modernize by moving away from old technologies like Windows XP or Office 2003 so they can truly realize new levels of productivity, be more secure and take advantage of cloud services cost effectively.”
The initiative is part of Microsoft’s efforts to move thousands of SMEs still stuck on legacy infrastructure before support for Windows XP and Office 2003 ends on 8 April 2014. “We are still seeing many SME owners willing to let their information workers cope with 11-year-old IT systems. With less than a year to go before end of support for Windows XP and Office 2003, it is time for business owners to rethink how more modern IT solutions will not just support, but enable the business to grow and be more productive,” he adds.
The Get2Modern SME IT Makeover Contest ends on 15 June 2013.
