Microsoft launches Equipt retail package through PC World

Microsoft has signed an exclusive deal with PC World to bring its Equipt package to the UK after running the scheme in the US through retailer Circuit City.

The vendor has reacted to the common misconception that a new computer comes with Office as standard and included it in the Equipt package along with security and system updates as part of a £59 annual fee that gives the option to licence three home PCs.

PC World has exclusive rights to sell Equipt from next Monday (20 October) in its stores and Curry’s outlets and will be backing the arrival of the package with in-store promotion and national advertising.

Peter Duncombec, trading director at DSGi, said that the timing of the launch was important because it gave Microsoft a run at the busy Christmas buying season.

“We do very good standalone business of security and Office software but there is not a lot of customers that buy both products at the same time,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for incremental business as you can put the one product in and away you go,” he added.

Bryson Gordon, Microsoft Equipt group product manager, said that as part of the annual subscription any updated versions of Office would be included.

He said that the experience of running Equipt in the US was that it had been different customers that purchased the package and it did not cannibalise its existing Office buying base.

Although a retail product the spin-off benefits for the channel could be a reduction in piracy rates as some users miffed that they have not got Office on their machines turn to pirate copies.