Azerbaijani governmental agency becomes first to sign Microsoft Enterprise Agreement in country

Azerbaijani Ministry of Communication and Information Technology became the first government agency of the central administrative power of the country to license Microsoft software in its computer network under the Enterprise Agreement.

Distinguishing feature of this type of licensing is that the agreement is signed directly with Microsoft and allows customers to save significantly by reducing total cost of property as well as the possibility of payment in installments and leads to a substantial reduction in the cost of training and user support.

An additional advantage of the agreement with Enterprise Agreement is the ability to use the latest versions of Microsoft products while the agreement is valid.

“Today Azerbaijan is a country with the fastest growing ICT sector in the region. Agreement on the use of licensed software is a proof that the country attaches due attention to overall development of the ICT sector, including the protection of intellectual property,” Azerbaijan’s Deputy Communication Minister Elmir Valizade said.

“The fact that the first agreement on the use of licensed software is signed with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is a landmark event. The Ministry, being responsible for the implementation of country’s ICT policy, sets an example also in use of legal software. Microsoft Corporation has high hopes that other public entities and commercial companies will also pay attention to this matter,” Microsoft Azerbaijan Director General Teymur Akhundov said.

“The use of licensed software is inextricably linked with the further development of ICT in the country and is one of the most important components on the path to success,” Akhundov said.

The project is being implemented by local company ULTRA, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.