Microsoft Releases Publisher 2000 With Support for Commercial Printing

REDMOND, Wash., June 9, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate availability of Microsoft® Publisher 2000, the newest version of the world’s most popular business desktop publishing program for the Windows® operating system.

Microsoft Publisher 2000 software provides a complete publishing solution with print-to-Web design expertise and full support for commercial printing that makes it a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. To facilitate the broad adoption of Publisher 2000 by commercial printers, Microsoft today is also introducing the Microsoft Publisher Service Provider Program.

“Customers told us they wanted a product that offered maximum ease of use while enabling them to achieve professional results,”
said David Thacher, general manager, Small Business Group, Desktop Applications Division, Microsoft.
“We listened to customers and commercial printers closely, and the result is Microsoft Publisher 2000.”

Microsoft Publisher 2000 lets business users create a wide range of marketing materials that convey a consistent and professional image. A flexible wizard model gives users assistance when they want it and then allows users to customize their materials. Automated design expertise, Office integration and a complete print and Web publishing solution enable users to achieve professional-looking results and a unified theme across all of their marketing materials.

Complete Publishing Solution Offers Great Support for Commercial Printing

With Microsoft Publisher 2000, customers can print from desktop printers as well as take their files to a commercial printer for higher-quality output and larger quantities. Great support for commercial printing is provided by these new and enhanced features:

  • Automatic conversion to spot or four-color process (CMYK) separations allows users to print their publications using full four-color process at a commercial printer.

  • Support is provided for solid and process PANTONE® Colors for exact color matching in printed documents.

  • The Pack and Go Wizard makes it easy to take a Publisher file to a commercial printer or copy shop by packing a publication and all its related graphics and TrueType fonts across one or more disks.

  • Automatic documentwide and per-object trapping is provided.

Customers can find a printer, service bureau or copy shop near them that accepts Microsoft Publisher files by accessing an online referral database of printers. More than 1,200 printers are already listed in the database, which can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/publisher/ .

Publisher Service Provider Program Facilitates Full Support by Commercial Printers

Microsoft has created a comprehensive program to facilitate the rapid adoption of Publisher 2000 by commercial printers. The Microsoft Publisher Service Provider Program offers commercial printers a free member kit (connect-time charges may apply), which includes Publisher 2000 software and training material. Commercial printers also receive designated technical support and an overview of the Publisher 2000 commercial printing features.

Availability and Pricing

Microsoft Publisher 2000 is available now for an estimated retail price of $99.95 (U.S.). Current Publisher customers are eligible for a $20 mail-in rebate* using a coupon found inside the retail Microsoft Publisher 2000 box. In addition, Publisher 2000 is available in Office 2000

Premium, Office 2000 Professional and Office 2000 Small Business. To try Publisher 2000, customers can order the 30-day trial version CD-ROM for $6.95. More information about Publisher can be obtained from http://www.microsoft.com/publisher/ .

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.

*The Microsoft Publisher 2000 product box includes a $20 (U.S.; $30 CAN) mail-in rebate for previous users of Microsoft Publisher. The product box for Microsoft Publisher 2000 Deluxe with Microsoft Picture It! 99 includes up to a $30 (U.S.; $45 CAN) mail-in rebate: $20 (U.S.; $30 CAN) for previous users of Microsoft Publisher and $10 (U.S.; $15 CAN) for previous users of Microsoft Picture It!

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

PANTONE is a registered trademark of Pantone Inc.

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.

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