WordPerfect Corp is generally accepted as the market leader in word processors now, but the Orem, Utah company does not intend to rest on its laurels and allow the same fate – having to be bailed out by an Israeli company – befall it as happened to the pioneer of the whole business, WordStar International Inc (CI No 1,944). As well as news of its acquisition of MagicSoft Inc and its agreements with Novell Inc and Adobe Systems Inc (CI No 1,946), the company’s announcements blitz last week included inauguration of a new Customer Advantage Programme designed to simplify software purchasing, distribution, licensing and maintenance for large accounts worldwide. The programme will offer a long-term contract to large organisations, and is designed to address the concerns of microcomputer managers over version control, liability management, maintenance, budgeting and international distribution. To qualify, an organisation must plan to buy at least 1,000 licences to a WordPerfect product or to trade up from a rival product during the term of the contract – combinations of the two can be used to reach the 1,000-licence minimum. The customer will agree a good faith formula to project the number of purchases during the life of the agreement. The customer will be issued a grant of rights and can duplicate software and materials as necessary, without having to requisition each new software purchase separately and may distribute software electronically. WordPerfect and the customer will conduct periodic reviews (not full audits) to determine if they are falling within the range of the good faith formula and reconciliations will be made as needed. The programme offers extended maintenance including automatic upgrades and interim releases, large account technical support and other support aids. Training and on-site technical support is also offered.
