SaaS Incubation Centers Announced

In an effort to expand its presence in “software as a service” (SaaS) offerings, Microsoft will enhance a program that gives ISVs low-cost access to hosted Windows, SQL Server, and other Microsoft products when the ISV hosts its own applications, or contracts with a service provider for hosting. A new program will make it easier for application developers to use the Microsoft platform when offering applications as online services, rather than selling them for use on-premises.

The SaaS Incubation Center Program builds on Microsoft’s existing SaaS On-Ramp Program. That program permits developers who build Web-based applications to get discounts on up to eight Windows Server licenses and two per-processor SQL Server licenses on which they can host their own applications. (They can also contract with a hosting service to host their applications, using licenses the developer obtained from Microsoft.) Developers can use the products for 30 days for free, and up to a year at a discounted rate.