CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 15, 1999 — Lotus Development Corp. and Microsoft Corp. today announced their intent to integrate Microsoft® Windows Media TM Technologies into Lotus’ Notes Release 5 and Domino Release 5 collaboration software products via IBM’s HotMedia Connect technology. This strategic distribution, development and licensing agreement will deliver the benefits of Microsoft streaming multimedia technology to potentially tens of millions of Notes and Domino R5 users worldwide as well as tighten the integration between Lotus and Microsoft technologies.
“Our customers demand the best possible integration between Lotus and Microsoft products,”
said Jeanette Horan, Lotus’ vice president of communications product development.
“Lotus Notes and Domino R5 already seamlessly use key Microsoft technologies such as Windows® , IIS and Internet Explorer. The integration of Windows Media Technologies will expand the streaming media options available to users of Notes and Domino R5, while adding to the functionality and richness of Lotus’ industry-leading collaboration environment.”
“This agreement builds upon both the quality and integration our shared customers have come to expect,”
said Anthony Bay, general manager, Streaming Media Division at Microsoft.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the demand for and adoption of the Windows Media Technologies platform for business applications.”
As a result of the agreement, Lotus will provide a powerful multimedia platform that enables Lotus Business Partners and developers, Microsoft developers, value-added resellers and customers to easily build and deploy rich multimedia applications for corporate workgroup communication, training and media streaming on the Web. Companies will also be able to incorporate Windows Media content into documents for use via Web browsers and Lotus Notes R5 clients for easier, more flexible media access and management. This platform will use core features in Notes and Domino R5 such as industry-leading security and replication for graphical solutions that are more secure, easier to manage and share, and complement an organization’s unique network system.
Initially Lotus plans to ship a version of Microsoft Windows Media Player with an upcoming version of Lotus Notes and Domino Release 5. Lotus and Microsoft intend to integrate upcoming versions of Windows Media Technologies with a future update version of Notes and Domino R5 via HotMedia Connect for Domino technology. Additional availability and pricing details will be announced next year.
IBM’s HotMedia Connect for Domino is a unique technology that serves as the middleware for IBM platforms and products to seamlessly integrate streaming audio and video products such as Windows Media Technologies. HotMedia Connect for Domino adds interactions and hot links and assembles the entire package into one file that can be easily added to a Web page or Domino application and delivered over today’s networks. It enables Notes R5 and Domino R5 to support streaming technologies while allowing users to view, listen, store, share and manage media clips from their Domino R5 databases or documents. The HotMedia Connect for Domino software will expose Windows Media Technologies capabilities through interfaces and design paradigms familiar to Notes and Domino R5 users and developers, making it simple to build media applications in a Notes and Domino R5 environment.
Lotus Notes and Domino R5 currently offer tight integration with Microsoft technologies such as Internet Explorer browser software, Internet Information Services (IIS), the FrontPage® Web site creation and management tool, the Visual Basic® development system and the Windows operating system for customers who choose to utilize Microsoft products with Lotus’ robust messaging and application development platform.
About Lotus Development
Lotus Development Corp., founded in 1982, is a subsidiary of IBM Corp. Lotus sets the standard for truly innovative software products and services that reflect the company’s unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus is redefining the concept of conducting business through practical knowledge management, e-business and other groundbreaking ways of connecting the world’s ideas, thinkers, buyers, sellers and communities via the Internet. Lotus markets its products in more than 80 countries worldwide through direct and extensive Business Partner channels. The company also provides numerous professional consulting, support and education services through the Lotus Professional Services organization.
About Windows Media Technologies
Windows Media Technologies is a leading digital media platform, providing consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies version 4, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and Windows Media Audio SDK, is available for free download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ (connect-time charges may apply). Over 40 million copies – more than one every second – of the free Windows Media Player have been downloaded to date.
WindowsMedia.com, part of the MSN TM network of Internet services, is the fastest-growing major audio and video guide on the Internet. WindowsMedia.com provides access to localized audio and video content users worldwide, including over 600 radio stations and major music and video events from more than 1,000 content providers. More information about Windows Media Technologies is available at http://windowsmedia.com/ .
About Microsoft Corp.
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 Media, Windows, FrontPage, Visual Basic and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Lotus and Lotus Notes are registered trademarks and Domino and Notes are trademarks of Lotus Development Corp.
International Business Machines (IBM) is a registered trademark and HotMedia Connect and HotMedia Connect for Domino are trademarks of IBM Corp.
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.
