October 8, 2004

Microsoft Across America: Technology, Trucks and Microsoft to the Heartland

At PC Expo this week I was up close and in, one of the trucks that Microsoft will have on tour across America over the next few months in its "Across America" tour.

Microsoft spends millions of dollars advertising its products in the "mass media" - radio, TV, print and has a massive blend of online seminars, and live seminars in its offices and other locations.

But in order to reach more businesses, up close and personal, especially businesses in rural areas, Microsoft will take 7 trucks on a national tour to reach 1 million businesses.

Building on the success of the educational programs Microsoft has been offering for six years, Microsoft Across America events are free half-day seminars (in a theatre or some other venue) and visitors can explore a state-of-the-art truck for live product demonstrations.

The fleet of seven Microsoft Across America trucks will visit more than 250 cities across the nation through June 2005. Visitors can experiment with programs such as Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 and the Microsoft Business Solutions Retail Management System. Local Microsoft-certified IT providers will be on hand to offer one-on-one advice and answer questions.

Microsoft is partnering with national partners such as HP, INTEL and Cisco to produce this tour and joining with local technology partners who are critical for reaching small businesses in the individual towns and cities they live in.

Microsoft has an excellent Small Business focused web site here

0 comments