"We will set up points of sale in 500 stores in eight cities in another six months to increase our reach among the consumer segment," Neelam Dhawan, managing director, Microsoft India said. 

The eight cities would include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune and Ahmedabad.

"Microsoft will make investments in the infrastructure required for the showcase and will also provide its retail partners with marketing support," Ranjivjit Singh, group director, consumer business at Microsoft India said.

Apart from 500 retail centres, Microsoft has drawn up plans to reach the home users in 32 more cities.  "In the financial year which ends in June we will reach customers in 32 more cities," she said.

Apart from improving its reach, Microsoft will roll out a products that are relevant to the needs of the Indian market, improve access to its products and technologies and focus on making its offerings more affordable.

"The recently set up consumer division will spearhead our foray in to this segment bringing together all of Microsoft's business units and offerings in a comprehensive manner," Dhawan said.

To increase affordability of its products, Microsoft said it would partner with personal computer manufacturers, banks and government bodies to create financing schemes. By these initiatives the company is also trying to fight piracy, which is maximum in the home segment.