MICROSOFT recently engaged its partners in Zimbabwe on various issues that are affecting them, including a bid to mobilise them in ensuring that their engagement with customers revolves around the use of genuine software.

Microsoft system builder channel business account manager, Watau Ng'ang'a said they have different ways of engaging their partners so that they realise the benefits of being a Microsoft partner.

A Microsoft partner is a reseller registered with Microsoft itself. There are three types of Microsoft partners. "Our partnerships include the Registered Partner, Certified Partner and Gold Certified Partner. Microsoft Partners have access to Online Resources and they are included in the global partner directory depending upon their level of partnership, " said Ng'ang'a.

Certified partners earn various Microsoft competencies whereby they become specialised in particular fields such as Licensing solutions, information worker, OEM hardware competency, small business specialist, etc. A Microsoft gold certified partner is the highest level of partnership, which marks a company with three or four competencies.

He added that Microsoft Partners can enjoy advantages through the Microsoft Club whereby they get rebates upon purchase of Microsoft genuine software from authorised microsoft distributors.

"Partners can also benefit from the cooperative marketing fund, which is specifically designed for system builders of machines. The system builders receive a certain rebate value for every purchase of Vista and/or Windows XP genuine software they load on their machines.

Partners can also receive information on various Microsoft products and services," he aid.

Meanwhile Microsoft East Southern Africa, anti piracy manager Abed Hlatshwayo added that the company is ensuring that customers know the risks of using pirated software.

"Although selling and using pirated software is illegal, according to copyright laws, the effects of this type of software are often not immediately seen or experienced," he said.

"From a security perspective, pirated software is more often than not filled with viruses and other types of malicious software, which can do lots of harm to your computer and your information.

"In addition, by selling, using or buying pirated software, you can be denying your government much-needed tax revenue, which could be re-invested back into the economy to improve civil services such as education, maintaining infrastructure or even better social security.

"In any event," Hlatshwayo said, " a small reduction in the piracy rate of Zimbabwe can go a long way in helping its people build honest and responsible businesses and, at the same time, contribute to the economy in more ways than one.

"We rely heavily on our partners who continue to assist businesses in communicating the dangers being faced by the country due to piracy and we have found a lot of success in our joint efforts between our partners, our customers and the government in helping fight against piracy - which not only robs businesses of revenue, but the people of Zimbabwe too.

Hlatshwayo said they had come to Zimbabwe to ensure that customers and government understand the benefits of using genuine software and communicated the impact of reducing the overall piracy rates of the country.