Launched earlier this year with the partnership of Smile Interactive Technologies Group (SITG) which is the eCommerce platform provider, the web-portal is India's first extensible e-Commerce platform for original Microsoft products. With a variety of products including Windows, Office, Xbox, games and gaming accessories coupled with competitive pricing and ease of access the web portal has received an enthusiastic response from consumers. The web portal also enables software resellers, websites and bloggers to retail software online. Ever since the launch the ease of setting up an online store has prompted, over 60+ channel partners to set their online stores through this portal and have expanded their reach beyond traditional geographic boundaries. Some of the channel partners have already seen about 15 percent increase in their revenue from the sale of Microsoft products through this web portal. Further, about 100+bloggers and websites have also been integrated into this portal.

Talking about the announcement, Vipul Sant, Director - Original Software Initiative, Microsoft India said, "We are very excited about including the option of purchasing volume licenses into BuyOriginalMS.com as this will enable us to reach out to business across far flung regions in the country. This move reiterates our commitment towards making the access to original software faster, simpler and easier for our customers. The availability of Microsoft's volume licenses through this portal heralds the wakening of Business to Business (B-2-B) ecommerce in the sub-continent and will enable businesses to effortlessly procure volume licenses of Microsoft's products."

He further added, "We have also received an overwhelming response from our channel partners who are raring to capitalize on opportunities that this presents to them to expand their customer base. Our end customers are spoilt for choice with the variety of price points and options provided by the channel partners on this platform. Furthermore, the tie-up with ICICI Bank and Skypak will go a long way in enhancing the customer experience while purchasing Microsoft original software."

This portal is a significant milestone as it brings together the ecosystem in the fight against counterfeit software. This initiative is not only aimed at providing customers with much needed access to original software at the best prices from all partners across the country, but it will also educate the consumer about the value of original software. Software piracy rates in India are currently at 69%. The purchase and use of original software will allow consumers to be protected from the potential threats such as malware, which arise from the use of pirated software.