Microsoft Offers 0% Financing

Microsoft(MSFT Quote) announced a 0% financing promotion for some of its business software, in an attempt to jump-start sales at a time when many businesses are looking to cut capital expenditures, according to a published report.

Microsoft's promotion, aimed at small and medium-size businesses, is being offered to new customers who spend $20,000 to $1 million on Microsoft's customer-management and accounting software, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Gayle Hoshino, a Microsoft director of pricing and licensing, says the company got a positive response to a similar pilot financing program it started in Canada in July. As the economy worsened, Microsoft expanded the program to 12 markets worldwide, including the U.S. ...