New Delhi: Software giant Microsoft on Thursday launched new server targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in association with HP and Dell in the domestic market.

Christened as Windows Server 2008 Foundation, the operating system has been launched in 40 countries including India, and will be available in the Indian market by month-end.

“We are looking at making the product available at affordable prices and within the reach of small businesses. We have already partnered with HP and Dell to roll out the product by month end,” Microsoft president (Server and Tools Business) Bob Muglia said here.

The company is also talking to other original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to further strengthen the distribution channel for Windows Server 2008 Foundation, he added.

Muglia said though the pricing of the product would be OEM dependent, the cost of the software would be around to $150 to 200.

“Windows Server 2008 Foundation is equipped with all the features required for any average firm except for virtualisation as we felt, SMEs are not so inclined to go in for virtualisation,” Muglia said.