Microsoft and INTERSOLV Announce Alliance to Promote Universal Data Access

REDMOND, Wash., and ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 22, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. and INTERSOLV Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLI) today announced an agreement to advance and support Universal Data Access. In connection with this current agreement, INTERSOLV will collaborate with Microsoft to promote standard methods for accessing all types of data, helping ensure that users can leverage existing infrastructures to quickly deploy critical applications with standards-based data connectivity, regardless of platform. With this strategic alliance, INTERSOLV will participate with Microsoft in the evolution, development and promotion of Universal Data Access, of which the OLE DB and ODBC specifications play an important role.

As a leader in relational, standards-based connectivity, INTERSOLV will apply its industry expertise in ODBC to the development and promotion of OLE DB, Microsoft’s data access standard for all data. Together, Microsoft and INTERSOLV will strive to accelerate understanding and implementation of OLE DB technology, helping ensure that the standard delivers broad support for accessing and manipulating multiple data stores. INTERSOLV is teaming with Microsoft to make optimal use of organizations’ investments in ODBC infrastructures by continuing to offer high-performance ODBC technology and by providing the means for customers to migrate from ODBC to the innovative, robust OLE DB specification as their business needs require.

“We selected INTERSOLV for this project based on its leadership position in ODBC and on its long-standing commitment to standards-based connectivity,” said Brian Ball, general manager, enterprise integration at Microsoft. “We are pleased to work together to provide interoperable components and a standard method of access to relational and nonrelational business information. We’re simplifying and unifying data access for corporate developers.”

Microsoft and INTERSOLV will work to accelerate the advancement, promotion and implementation of the OLE DB specification by sharing and porting technologies. INTERSOLV will strive to extend the benefits of OLE DB to developers of non-Microsoft® Windows® -based applications by porting and distributing to non-Windows platforms the Microsoft OLE DB provider for ODBC.

“Our relationship with Microsoft empowers customers to explore and implement OLE DB technology while leveraging their investment in ODBC today,” said Edward Peters, INTERSOLV vice president and general manager of DataDirect. “INTERSOLV plans to deliver its first series of OLE DB service and data providers by the end of the year and, in the first half of 1998, a full range of OLE DB technology supporting the industry-leading databases. With this strategic alliance, Microsoft and INTERSOLV will work to effectively enable the seamless adoption of Universal Data Access, building on customers’ previous investments in ODBC extending to JDBC and OLE DB.”

INTERSOLV Inc. delivers innovative solutions for the entire application enablement process empowering organizations to accelerate the delivery of information systems across client/server, Internet or intranet environments. Customers worldwide rely on INTERSOLV’s automated software quality, data connectivity and year 2000 renewal solutions to gain a true competitive advantage. Partnering with INTERSOLV, organizations achieve the agility and

flexibility to respond quickly to rapid business and technological change. With annual revenues exceeding $160 million, INTERSOLV has more than 3.5 million customer licenses at over 35,000 customer sites around the world. Additional information about INTERSOLV is available via the World Wide Web at (http://www.intersolv.com/) or by calling (800) 547-4000.

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 and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. For more information about INTERSOLV, refer to (http://www.intersolv.com/) .

Related Posts