Digital, MCI and Microsoft Ally to Offer Integrated Business Solutions
Companies Expand Relationships to Deliver Intranet, Messaging And Groupware Solutions From MCI
Electronic Mail, Messaging and Groupware
Working together, the three companies intend to develop a fully integrated suite of managed electronic mail and messaging solutions, which will be marketed by MCI. These solutions combine MCI’s robust messaging network, Digital’s Alpha Server, and Microsoft Exchange Server, the first messaging platform with integrated groupware and Internet connectivity. The suite will provide customers with a “single source” managed environment for enterprise electronic mail and groupware. The service also provides systems management, operations, administration and help-desk services to provide customers a turnkey managed electronic mail environment.
Because of the dramatic increase in Internet use, electronic mail and enhanced messaging services have become critical to business productivity. As a result, the business is expected to grow to $62 billion by 2000.
Following are benefits of this powerful combination of products and technology:
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Installation and management. Seamless delivery, installation and management of hardware and communications services – from a single point of contact and with one high standard of network performance and reliability. This will allow businesses to achieve enterprisewide messaging and interoperability.
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Messaging services. A comprehensive package of messaging services ranging from basic electronic mail services, such as Internet electronic mail, to premium electronic mail and messaging services that integrate directory functionality, message storage and gateway services with reliable, secure delivery.
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Network and applications management. Around-the-clock network and applications management, which takes advantage of the global network management capabilities of MCI and the client-server telecommunications management information platform (TeMIP) management software from Digital to ensure reliable message delivery.
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Systems integration. Systems integration and services expertise will be delivered by MCI’s SHL Systemhouse with support from Digital.
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Groupware services. A comprehensive package of groupware services ranging from simple bulletin boards and discussion databases to more sophisticated sales tracking applications will be developed on Microsoft Exchange Server public folders. Public folders are replicated databases that can be used to distribute and share information both inside and outside an organization.
MCI has also announced it will use Microsoft Exchange Server for its internal messaging platform. MCI will integrate Microsoft Exchange Server with the MCI Mail® infrastructure to provide enhanced messaging and groupware capabilities to its employees and customers.
“Microsoft Exchange was created to meet the messaging, groupware and intranet as well as Internet electronic mail requirements of companies today and in the future,” Gates said. “Providing a reliable and high-performance solution to today’s distributed workplace, Microsoft Exchange enables work teams spread across an enterprise to share information and collaborate as if they were across the hall. The combined services of Microsoft Exchange Server and the communications, network management and computing capabilities of MCI and Digital offer customers a complete infrastructure for deploying mission-critical business solutions.”
Intranet Networking Services
The three companies will work together to develop solutions that will enable MCI to help businesses increase workplace collaboration and productivity by offering a package of managed intranet solutions. Included in the initial offerings will be MCI Web Site Services and MCI Enterprise Connect. Intranets, private web-based Internet networks accessible only within an enterprise, are used to connect employees and business partners to critical corporate information. Intranets are also used for file sharing, document transfers and establishing interactive bulletin boards within an enterprise.
“This alliance combines all of the technologies and services required for businesses to gain the enormous productivity benefits of a corporate intranet,” Palmer said. “Digital, MCI and Microsoft will bring to the intranet the same innovations they have already delivered to the Internet.”
Industry analysts estimate that the current $400 million market for intranet services, software and hardware will reach $8 billion by 1998. It is also projected that by the end of the decade, 90 percent of all Web servers and software sold will be for intranet applications.
The end-to-end managed network solution combines the world’s leading Internet technologies to provide the following products and services:
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MCI Web Site Services. Provides Web site content creation, hosting, access and Internet security and management.
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MCI Enterprise Connect. A component of MCI’s new Enterprise Network Solutions initiative, MCI Enterprise Connect offers a range of intranet and Internet connectivity options over MCI’s Internet backbone, including dedicated, frame relay, SMDS, ISDN and remote dial-up access.
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Search engine and interactive tools. A suite of technologies from Digital that provide Internet search and indexing capabilities, workgroup collaboration software for online audio, and document conferencing with remote access and security.
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Web site and browsing software. MCI will package Microsoft’s leading Internet software with its intranet solution, including the following:
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Microsoft Internet Information Server. These new services will be built upon Internet Information Server (IIS), the only Web server integrated into Windows NT Server. IIS is an easy-to-use yet powerful platform for Web applications.
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Customized versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer. MCI will offer privately branded versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer to businesses both for their own internal use and to provide to their customers. Microsoft Internet Explorer is the first cross-platform Internet client to integrate ActiveX
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technologies, which enables businesses to create, view and share highly interactive applications and content.
MCI will adopt Windows NT Server and Microsoft Internet Information Server for its Internet and Intranet Web Hosting Services.
Digital Equipment Corp. is the world’s leader in open client-server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information systems. Digital’s Intel® and Alpha platforms, storage, networking, software and services, together with the industry-focused solutions from business partners, help organizations compete and win in today’s global marketplace.
MCI is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing diversified communications companies. With annual revenue of more than $15 billion, MCI offers consumers and businesses a broad portfolio of services including long distance, wireless, local access, paging, Internet software and access, information services, outsourcing, business software, advanced global telecommunications services, and music distribution and merchandising. An MCI company, SHL is a leader in client-server computing and offers a wide range of consulting and systems integration services as well as customized software solutions.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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Microsoft, BackOffice, Windows NT and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
MCI Mail is a registered service mark of MCI Communications Corp.
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corp.
For more information, press only:
For Digital: Tom Madden, (508) 264-6675
For MCI: Jim Monroe, MCI, (800) 644-NEWS
For Microsoft: Megan McKenzie, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000
Helene Love, Waggener Edstrom, (206) 637-9097
For product information, customers may call:
(888) 200-7002
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft home page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ . To receive Microsoft press releases by fax, please call (800) 859-5915 in the United States or (201) 333-0314 internationally.
