Microsoft announced early this week that it´s going to offer a new service policy to the clients of its ERP, SCM and CRM solutions. The plan, in my point of view, is an attempt to increase the installed base of the Microsoft´s customers which is not as big as competitors.

According to Computer World, Microsoft will offer five years of extended support beyond the five-year mainstream support period for its CRM, enterprise resource planning and retail management products.

The plan, called Business Ready Customer Care, means customers won't necessarily be forced to upgrade. The price of the support will vary according to what software the customer has.

"We don't want customers to upgrade on our timeline," said Barb Edson, senior marketing director for Microsoft's Dynamics products.

Microsoft has also extended its premier support service to Dynamics. The service includes 24-hour technical support and can accommodate on-site visits. Microsoft's Dynamics line includes the ERP programs AX, GP, NAV and SL; its CRM application; and its Retail Management Solution products.