REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 5, 1998 — The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) announced today it will honor Microsoft Corp. as the recipient of its prestigious 1998 IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition award.
The IEEE Innovation award is presented to one company each year for its outstanding contributions resulting in major advancement of the art and science of electrotechnology. At a ceremony at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, Microsoft will be recognized for making computer technology accessible to the home, business and classroom through its innovative software developments.
“We are delighted to present Microsoft with our annual award for corporate innovation,”
said Dr. Joseph Bordogna, president of IEEE.
“Microsoft has made great strides in making technology accessible not only in the corporate world, but also to small businesses, individuals and students. Its vision should continue to provide innovative solutions to everyday challenges now and in the future.”
“Since the day Microsoft was founded, we have focused on developing great, affordable software that would enable people everywhere to own computers,”
said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft.
”
To meet this challenge, we have invested more than 25 years listening to customers, continually improving our products and focusing on leading PC users through
evolving technology trends. To be honored by a prestigious organization like the IEEE for our commitment to innovation is incredibly rewarding.
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The IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition award was established in 1985. Winners are chosen through a nomination process and come from various disciplines including corporations, industry, government and academia. A committee reviews nominees’ innovative products, product lines, systems or concepts that have resulted in major advancement of the arts and sciences of electrotechnology. The final nominations are sent to an awards board of nearly 30 industry peers and academics, who then make a recommendation to the IEEE board of directors.
One indicator of Microsoft’s continued commitment to innovating and improving products is the estimated $3 billion the company plans to spend on research and development in fiscal year 1999. Included in this figure is the continued funding and growth plans for Microsoft Research, the company’s computer science research lab. With labs in Redmond, Wash., San Francisco, and Cambridge, England, Microsoft® Research is focused on solving the hard computer science problems of today and greatly improving the software products of tomorrow.
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 is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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