Industry Honors Microsoft SQL Server

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 17, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has been recognized by industry leaders for its data management and business intelligence offerings. iTNews, VARBusiness and Visual Studio Magazine rated Microsoft® SQL Server™
2000 as the No. 1 data management platform in the industry. DM Review Magazine and Intelligent Enterprise Magazine each honored Microsoft for its affordable business intelligence solution.

SQL Server 2000 is a complete database platform with integrated business intelligence, development and management tools. Unlike other database vendors’ products, these features are available at no additional charge to licensed SQL Server 2000 users. Microsoft provides superior customer value out of the box with add-ons such as the Accelerator for Business Intelligence, SQLXML and Web services toolkits, Notification Services, SQL Server 2000 Windows® CE Edition, SQL Server 2000 (64-bit) and Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE). SQL Server 2000 also offers customers built-in business intelligence including data mining; online analytical processing (OLAP); data warehousing; and extract, transform and load (ETL) capabilities.

As part of its business intelligence offering, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, Microsoft will launch SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services, a powerful new reporting tool that can increase business insight by providing companies and information workers with the real-time information they need, from any data source to any device. By using Microsoft’s business intelligence offering, employees get better access to information that will help them make more-informed decisions and provide more business value to the company.

“These awards are quite an honor for the SQL Server team and demonstrate that Windows Server System™ is providing customers with solutions that enhance their productivity,”
said Gordon Mangione, corporate vice president for SQL Server at Microsoft.
“This recognition shows that when customers and partners are looking for a BI or database vendor, Microsoft is top of mind. We continually work to provide our customers with a comprehensive, low-cost offering that meets their business needs while providing value to their organization.”

Microsoft SQL Server Honored for Comprehensive, Cost-Effective Offering

Microsoft SQL Server was honored by VARBusiness and AJB Publishing for its data management offering. The 2003 VARBusiness Annual Report Card survey recognized Microsoft as the highest-rated solution provider for data management software. The ARC awards, chosen by solution providers, identify outstanding performance for product innovation, support and partnership potential. At this year’s annual Information Technology & Telecommunications (IT & T Awards) for AJB Publishing, publishers of iTNews, Microsoft won in the Database Management System category for providing expertise, professionalism and major contributions with business, IT and telecommunications.

SQL Server also was recognized with Reader’s Choice awards from Visual Studio Magazine and DM Review Magazine. Visual Studio Magazine honored Microsoft with a Reader’s Choice award in the SQL database category, signifying that Microsoft’s database development provides Visual Studio Magazine readers with real value and software excellence. DM Review readers selected Microsoft SQL Server as the No. 3 database for the 2003 DM Review 100. The list highlights the top business intelligence vendors that provide overall customer service and satisfaction.

The editors of Intelligent Enterprise included Microsoft in the Intelligent Enterprise 2004 Dozen, a list of the information technology (IT) solution providers most influential in the development of
“intelligent”
enterprises. In addition, Microsoft SQL Server won the Intelligent Enterprise’s Readers’ Choice award in the Analytic Servers category.

Server 2000 Reporting Services Delivers Information

On Jan. 27, 2004, from 9 to 11 a.m., Microsoft will host a webcast to announce the availability of SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services, an open and extensible

reporting platform that supports a

Web services interface to
allow Visual Studio® developers to

easily build custom applications. With the addition of Reporting Services, SQL Server provides the single most comprehensive data management and BI platform on the market, with integrated analytics that include ETL tools and online analytical processing, data mining, data warehousing and reporting functionality. These features help companies realize the value of better decision-making while lowering total cost of ownership. Microsoft will roll out the product as part of a webcast that will feature keynote speeches by Paul Flessner, senior vice president for Windows Server System, and Bill Baker, general manager for business intelligence. To register for the event, those interested can log onto http://mssql.digisle.tv/ .

About SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server, part of the Windows Server System, is the complete database and analysis offering for rapidly delivering the next generation of scalable e-commerce, line-of-business and business intelligence solutions. It dramatically reduces the time required to bring these applications to market while offering the scalability needed for the most-demanding environments. More information on Microsoft SQL Server can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/ .

About Windows Server System

Microsoft Windows Server System is an integrated and interoperable server infrastructure that reduces IT complexity to enable IT professionals to deliver innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of business. With Windows Server™
2003 at the foundation, Windows Server System is engineered from the ground up for XML Web services based on Microsoft .NET technologies to connect information, people, systems and devices. Based on a common software architecture that spans all facets of IT from design, development and deployment through ongoing management and usage, Windows Server System provides comprehensive IT infrastructure for operations (security, systems management, networked storage), applications (data management and analysis, e-business), and information work (messaging, communications and collaboration). More information on Microsoft Windows Server System can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows Server System, Visual Studio and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the 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. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .

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