REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 14, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system version 5.0 Channel Readiness Kit and new official Windows NT 5.0 training curriculum, providing the channel with the resources needed to help customers evaluate the beta release of Windows NT 5.0. The Channel Readiness Kit will be distributed exclusively to more than 25,000 channel members, including Microsoft Certified Solution Providers (MCSPs) and large account resellers worldwide. The training curriculum will be available later this month.
Windows NT 5.0 will enable Microsoft Certified Solution Providers and large account resellers to provide a whole new range of business solutions to their customers including new applications, Internet and communications solutions at a lower overall cost.
“The beta version of Windows NT 5.0 represents a tremendous business opportunity for our channel as customers begin to evaluate and test Windows NT 5.0,”
said Sam Jadallah, vice president of the organization customer unit at Microsoft.
“In preparing the channel, we are also ensuring that our customers can look forward to a wealth of technical knowledge on Windows NT from a wide range of professionals to help them build and deploy Windows NT-based solutions.”
Windows NT 5.0 Channel Readiness Kit Shipped to 25,000 Channel Partners
Microsoft today announced the availability of the Microsoft Windows NT 5.0 Channel Readiness Kit for the Windows NT Workstation 5.0, Windows NT Server 5.0 and Windows NT Server 5.0 Enterprise Edition operating systems. The Channel Readiness CD contains materials that outline business opportunities for partners, how to prepare a Windows NT 4.0 environment for Windows NT 5.0, training options, tools to introduce customers to Windows NT 5.0, Windows NT 5.0 beta 2 software, deployment aids and technical white papers to support evaluation. These resources will ensure that there are channel partners ready to help customers plan their Windows NT Workstation 5.0 deployments and their implementations of the Active Directory directory service in Windows NT Server 5.0. MCSPs can obtain more information on the kit by referring to the private MCSP Online Web site located at https://mcsp.one.microsoft.com/ .
“We are already seeing unprecedented demand from our customers for solutions that are ready to take advantage of Windows NT 5.0,”
said Lee Lew, director of strategic alliances for Datatec Systems Inc., an MCSP working with Fortune 2000 companies.
“We are very excited about what Windows NT 5.0 will do for our business. By combining our custom Rapid Deployment automation tools with the knowledge of Windows NT 5.0 we are getting from Microsoft now, we will be able to strengthen relationships with our current customers and also extend our reach out to new opportunities and new customers.”
Microsoft Introduces Windows NT 5.0 Official Curriculum
Microsoft is providing training materials for Windows NT 5.0 beta 2 earlier than ever to ensure that channel partners and customers have an opportunity to prepare for solid evaluations and rapid deployment of the final release. Beginning this month, five new Microsoft Official Curriculum courses for Windows NT 5.0 will be offered, including Windows NT 5.0 First Look, Installing and Administering Windows NT 5.0, Supporting Windows NT 5.0, Planning and Implementing Active Directory, and Upgrading to Windows NT 5.0. Also, Microsoft is developing Official Curriculum for Windows NT Server 5.0 Enterprise Edition that is scheduled to be available starting in the first quarter of 1999. For more information on Microsoft ATEC training go to http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/ .
About Windows NT 5.0
Windows NT Workstation 5.0 is the premier desktop operating system for businesses of all sizes and is designed to replace the Windows® 95 operating system as the standard business desktop. Microsoft Windows NT Server 5.0, the next release of the best-selling server operating system, is the only multipurpose server operating system designed to connect, run and manage every part of the digital business. When combined, Windows NT Workstation 5.0 and Windows NT Server 5.0 provide a platform that lowers the total cost of ownership, enables a new generation of distributed applications and provides the infrastructure for companies to build their
“digital nervous systems.”
Windows NT Workstation 5.0 and Windows NT Server 5.0 are currently in beta testing.
About Microsoft
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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Cara Walker, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000, [email protected]
Rob Houston, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000, [email protected]
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