Microsoft Corp., the world's biggest software maker, will start giving companies free support and service as it overhauls a licensing plan introduced last year that's been met with slow sales.

The company will give customers of its two-year and three-year Software Assurance upgrade plan free training and support, said Rebecca LaBrunerie, a licensing product manager. It comes after the switch to the new plan, which gave customers free upgrades over several years, angered licensees by raising prices in some cases and imposing too early a deadline for some to act.

Microsoft chief financial officer John Connors has said the company needs to provide more "value" to customers who choose multi-year licenses under the program.

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