Microsoft's latest at Tech Ed conference

Microsoft New Zealand yesterday unveiled a $3.5 million technology incubator sponsorship programme to kick off its annual Tech Ed conference in Auckland.

The package is designed to support 16 incubator organisations and 100 start-up companies nationwide, and includes a mix of operating system, office productivity, collaboration and development tools.

Andy Hamilton, Incubators New Zealand chairman, said the sponsorship would provide vital help to many start-up companies.

"The ability to provide no-cost access to Microsoft technologies further reduces the barrier to investment in new business ideas," he said.

"This is a significant milestone for the start-up industry in this country and we are delighted that Microsoft New Zealand is investing so much into New Zealand."

About 2000 technology professionals will attend this week's conference, which runs until tomorrow, to catch a glimpse of the software giant's latest products.

Keynote speaker Iain McDonald, from Microsoft's US head office, yesterday gave attendees a preview of the firm's latest products, including the new Windows Vista operating system due for release next year.

Sean McBreen, Microsoft New Zealand director developer and platform strategy group, said that the Tech Ed programme was an engine for innovation and development, so the event was as much a discussion on productivity as on Microsoft technology.

"IT professionals have progressively moved up the management chain as awareness of technology's value to their organisations has increased, becoming decision makers and strategists," he said.

Microsoft New Zealand managing director Ross Peat said the technology training event signalled a turning point in the evolution of the local technology sector.

"We are on the cusp of a period of significant change. Technology convergence has led to much greater acceptance of the productivity benefits that can be achieved," Peat said.

"The core technologies are providing scalability, connectivity and a level of simplicity that makes high-end services no longer solely the preserve of large enterprises."