The Office Software That Roared Until now, when companies wanted to upgrade, Microsoft offered discounted upgrade kits. That will end on July 31. After that, Microsoft will offer Software Assurance, a program in which companies pay Microsoft an annual fee for the right to upgrade if Microsoft releases a new version of Office. That may be a money-saver for companies that religiously upgrade, but it's a pricey proposition for companies that skip Office generations — especially because Microsoft may not, in fact, unveil any new versions at all during the three-year contract. (Companies may choose not to take part in this program, but then when a new Office version comes along, they'll have to buy all new copies instead of upgrade kits.)