Microsoft Malaysia Wins The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Top 10 Masters Award 2011

Kuala Lumpur, 26 January 2012 – Microsoft Malaysia was recently honored as one of the “Top Ten Most Preferred Brands” in the Office Software & Solutions category at The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2011 Gala Dinner. The world leader in cloud computing was rewarded for its commitment to transform Malaysian SMEs with cloud computing technology and solutions through its Office 365 productivity suite.

“For Microsoft, the award affirms our commitment to not only empower Malaysian SMEs with the required ICT tools and scalable technology infrastructures through Office 365, but to also raise efficiency in the way they work so that they are able to make the government’s vision a reality by contributing 41% of Malaysia’s GDP by 2020,” said Mohit Pande, General Manager, Small & Midmarket Solutions and Partners Group, Microsoft Malaysia.
Office 365 provides access to familiar Microsoft Office collaboration and productivity tools delivered through the cloud. The cloud based service rolled out in July 2011 in 40 countries around the world, provides SMEs with enterprise-grade productivity and collaborative tools such as Office Web Apps, Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Lync Online, at a minimal rate of USD6 per user per month.

“We are confident that Office 365 will be a game-changer for SMEs to succeed in a diverse global, interconnected business landscape,” Mr. Pande added. “SMEs play a very critical and strategic role in Malaysia’s economy, and thus in its development. About 99.2% of businesses in Malaysia are SMEs, accounting for 37.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); about 56% of total employment and 20% of exports. “This is why the sector is a key area in the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme or ETP.”

Within six months, Microsoft formed alliances with SME Corporation Malaysia (“SME Corp”) and Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“Telekom Malaysia”) respectively to mobilize SMEs to utilize cloud computing services to increase their business productivity. In July 2011, Microsoft announced a landmark partnership with SME Corp to transform the businesses of Malaysia SMEs through Office 365. Five months later the IT company, reinforced its efforts by pledging to reinvest US$13 per Office 365 seat, which could see an expected investment by of up to RM20.8 million (US$3.25 million; US$1=RM3.20) for the first year alone, if it is adopted by 50,000 SMEs in the country.

Separately, In December 2011, Microsoft signed a syndication partnership with Telekom Malaysia through its wholly owned subsidiary (VADS), to expand its cloud services portfolio to include Microsoft Office 365 as part of its Software-as-a-Service offering to Malaysian businesses throughout the country.

“Our partnership with two of Malaysia’s industry leaders underscores our commitment to support the growth and development of SMEs in Malaysia. To date, the acceptance of Office 365 within the SME market through initiatives like this has been encouraging, with an accolade at The Brand Laureate – SMEs Chapter Awards 2011 serving as testament,” said Mr. Pande.

The BrandLaureate – SMEs Chapter Awards are held every year to recognise the important role that SMEs play in the development of the nation and that of brand building. Organised by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, the Awards provide SMEs with a platform to position their brands effectively with the ultimate goal of becoming a global brand.