Microsoft Product Announcements Reflect Changing Face of Enterprise Computing

NEW YORK, June 16, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today introduced a range of Windows® operating system-based products at PC Expo, addressing corporate America’s need to simplify information technology management while providing the corporate work force with a wide range of technology options. The release-to-manufacturing today of the new Microsoft® Windows NT® Server 4.0 operating system Terminal Server Edition, combined with Windows CE product-line advances, makes Windows functionality available beyond the traditional corporate PC workstation.

Anchored by innovations in the Microsoft Windows NT and Office product lines, these products meet a range of needs for enterprise customers, from enhanced functionality at stationary, terminal-based jobs, to traditional corporate computing with the full power of Windows and Office, to extended database support for PC Companion devices powered by the Microsoft Windows CE operating system.

“As the needs of enterprises continue to evolve, Microsoft and industry partners must create new technologies to help corporations address these changes,”
said Paul Maritz, group vice president, platforms and applications, Microsoft.
“Our goal is to stay in lock step with these customers, innovating the Windows platform to address the spectrum of needs from the mobile worker to the terminal user and those using traditional PCs.”

Microsoft Windows Terminal Server

Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition extends the Windows NT Server product line to computers that cannot run Windows or Windows-based applications today. Terminal Server, the result of a joint development effort announced in May 1997 between Microsoft and Citrix Systems Inc., will enable customers to reduce total cost of ownership while extending the Windows experience to all the desktops and terminals within their organizations.

Microsoft is already seeing broad industry support for Terminal Server, with commitments from early adopter customers to deploy Terminal Server at their organizations.

Microsoft Windows CE

Microsoft unveiled plans to provide a lightweight, optimized client-side database for Windows CE-based devices at PC Expo. Based on Microsoft Access technology, this database would work with customers’ enterprise databases, keeping data consistent between mobile devices and enterprise servers. This complements Microsoft’s previously announced plans for ActiveX® Data Objects for Windows CE, which will give developers a common database application-level interface, as well as provide the ability to replicate data to and from Microsoft SQL Server
™
.

Microsoft also demonstrated how it will enhance manageability of Windows CE-based devices in the enterprise by extending the Zero Administration for Windows initiative to include support for Windows CE. Systems Management Server 2.0 will make it possible to provide asset tracking and software change and configuration management for Windows CE-based devices. Included in the demonstration were inventory collection, Systems Management Server-generated reports of missing Windows CE-based devices that had not docked for a predetermined period of time, and software deployment to Windows CE-based devices from a central, policy-based administration center using Systems Management Server and Windows CE ActiveSync
™
technology.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft is currently developing a new version of its best-selling Office productivity suite and will be previewing a pre-beta version at PC Expo. The next version of Office is being designed to be easier to deploy, manage and support in large organizations.

Office will take advantage of Microsoft Installer which will enable components to be installed on demand, based on a system administrator’s choices. In addition, the new version will include special emphasis on Web-based collaboration to help customers get better results by streamlining the process of working with people and information to turn information into more of an asset.

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation

Microsoft also announced a new system preparation utility for Windows NT Workstation 4.0. This utility represents a major step toward simplifying deployment for corporate customers and OEMs, as part of Microsoft’s long-term goal of lowering total cost of ownership through improvements in compatibility and manageability. After using the utility to prepare the system for duplication, customers will need to take advantage of third-party utilities for the actual duplication and rollout of Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on multiple systems. The system preparation utility is currently in beta development.

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

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