Microsoft, along with its channel partners in the city, organised a marketing development programme for small and medium businesses (SMBs) on Thursday. Later, talking to mediapersons, Director-Genuine Software Initiative of the company Anil Varghese said that the programme was aimed at strengthening Microsoft outreach to businesses in Tier-II and III cities like Visakhapatnam.

To address the requirements of the SMBs in the city better, Microsoft would work directly with select partners and distributors in the city and other upcountry locations.

Under this, the channel partners would replicate the company's direct work that would help address four million SMBs across the country, he said.

Mr. Varghese also said that the SMBs could directly purchase online solutions over the Internet, which was relevant and cost-effective in building the basic infrastructure support for businesses which were keen to work efficiently.