REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 1, 1996 — Today Microsoft Corp. will attempt to be added to the Guinness Book of World Records for assembling the largest display of operational PCs, 1,020 in total, at South Africa’s Networld tradeshow. Running a combination of Microsoft® Windows® 95 and Windows NT®
Workstation operating systems, the massive display, called
“MegaNet”
is the highlight of Networld which is being held in Landaba, South Africa Oct 2-4 th .
The sheer size of the display took five days to build and created some unique engineering problems ranging from weight and safety management to power consumption. The PCs, supplied by Digital South Africa are mounted on a display rack which is approximately 21
½
feet high, 224
½
feet long and weighs 24 tons. All the PCs are connected to network equipment supplied by Digital and uninterruptible power supplies (UPCs) by a South Africa company, APC.
“This will be quite a feat for us to pull off something of this scale,”
said Rob Katz, general manager for Microsoft South Africa.
“The entire configuration is driven by Windows NT Server 4.0 and demonstrates the true reliability and scalability of Microsoft Windows NT Server networking. Going for the world record is fun, but the real excitement for us is the opportunity to show customers just how powerful Windows NT Server really is.”
Over 30 local companies joined with Microsoft in the building of MegaNet including Digital South Africa, Vircom, Olivetti South Africa and APC. All the software and equipment used for MegaNet will be made available to customers for purchase after the show.
In addition to MegaNet, Microsoft will be showing customers the full range of business and networking applications at Networld. Large scale demonstrations and convenient hands-on booths will be based on the entire Microsoft BackOffice
™
family of products including: Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Microsoft SQL Server
™
, Systems Management Server 1.2, SNA Server, Internet Information Server and Microsoft Exchange.
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.
Microsoft, BackOffice, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
For more information press only:
US: Renee Dunn, Microsoft (206)882-8080
South Africa: Barbara Watkins, Microsoft (011)27-11-445-1035
Richard Castle, Text 100 (011) 27-11-706-0215
For sales information: (800) 426-9400
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ . For more information on the local MegaNet event please visit http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/meganet/.
