IBM cuts price of software on strong Kiwi

IBM New Zealand has cut the price of all its software by average of about 10 per cent, following an international review of its charges.

The price drops — which vary greatly from product to product — reflect the recent appreciation of the New Zealand dollar and follow a similar move by rival Microsoft.

Microsoft cut the price of all its business application software, operating systems, server software and development tools by about 10 per cent in March — directly crediting the rise in the Kiwi dollar.

IBM has also simplified its software licensing model, Passport Advantage. Customers who let software maintenance agreements lapse can now repurchase maintenance without having to pay for their software licences again.

The Government and Microsoft have meanwhile concluded their G2003 contract negotiations.

These set out terms and conditions in which public sector organisations can purchase software from Microsoft from September.

Most government agencies are expected to pay less under the new umbrella contract.