Microsoft tweaks volume-licensing program

Microsoft this week announced minor changes to its volume-licensing program, under which large businesses license many of the company's software products. Among other changes, the software giant has made permanent a provision that allows customers to upgrade a software license from standard-edition status to enterprise-edition status without having to buy a completely new license for that product.

Microsoft has also established a Web site designed to make it easier to understand what the rules of the licensing program are.