Redmond giant seeks end to dinosaur-era software upgrade cycle

Microsoft Corp, which for decades has refreshed its popular Office corporate software just once about every three years, says it will soon switch to weekly updates.

It's a radical shift as Microsoft overhauls its internet-based programs, seeking to stay in sync with the fast-changing technology industry.

For much of Microsoft's 38-year history, infrequent upgrades made sense for businesses seeking predictable improvements. That's changed as nimbler entrants such as Dropbox Inc, Box Inc, Jive Software Inc and Google Inc refine features and deliver automatic updates over the web. That tinkering has helped lure customers and put pressure on margins.