Microsoft has announced the Microsoft SaaS On-Ramp Program, which provides independent software vendors (ISVs) with discounted software infrastructure and technical resources to help develop and deploy software as a service (SaaS) applications.

“The current software development landscape presents a tremendous opportunity for vendors to expand their business with SaaS,” said John Zanni, director of Worldwide Hosting at Microsoft. “Microsoft recognizes that many smaller ISVs and startups lack the essential tools and resources necessary to adopt the SaaS business model. With the SaaS On-Ramp Program, Microsoft can help ISVs enter this industry by reducing the cost of technology needed to support hosted software offerings and improving access to other resources.”

The Microsoft SaaS On-Ramp Program provides ISVs with the Windows Server license for up to eight central processing units (CPUs) and Microsoft SQL Server license for up to two CPUs. In addition, participating vendors will receive the benefits of the Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement, a licensing program that enables ISVs to license Microsoft products on a monthly basis to offer services and hosted applications to their end customers. The many benefits include access to the latest versions of Microsoft software, the ability to grant customer demos for 60 days, and 20 licenses for datacenter administrators at no cost.

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