Microsoft Ships Internet Explorer Administration Kit 3.0

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 16, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate worldwide availability of the Microsoft® Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK). This software package, available at no charge (except for shipping and handling), makes it easy for corporations, Internet service providers (ISPs) and content providers to customize and deploy the popular Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser. Thousands of corporations and ISPs have already requested the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit 3.0. With the IEAK, customers can do the following:

  • Customize the look of Microsoft Internet Explorer with a company name or logo

  • Create a single, one-click installation package of all Microsoft Internet Explorer components, including Microsoft Internet Explorer, NetMeeting
    ™
    conferencing software, and Internet Mail and News for distribution or download

  • Preconfigure and control options for users within corporations

  • Manage browser settings and user options on an ongoing basis from a single, central server location within an intranet

“Corporate customers and Internet service providers wanted an easy way to customize and distribute Microsoft Internet Explorer to their users and customers,”
said Brad Chase, vice president in the Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft.
“With their feedback, we developed the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit. It gives them the best of both worlds – the administration capabilities they’re asking for, and the best browser available today.”

The IEAK delivers what corporate customers need to provide Microsoft Internet technology to their users. There are no licensing fees for the IEAK or Microsoft Internet Explorer, eliminating cost barriers for deploying Microsoft Internet Explorer across a corporate intranet. The IEAK Wizard offers a simple, intuitive interface for creating customized browser and distribution packages for hands-free installation. And the IEAK gives IS managers the ability to easily preconfigure and lock user options such as security, ratings and proxy settings, and manage those settings from a central location. This ability provides IS managers the same level of control over the browser that they have over other line-of-business applications.

Sprint Spectrum L.P., a digital Personal Communication Services partnership, has chosen to deploy Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 on more than 2,500 of its desktops using the IEAK. After researching the market, Sprint determined that the IEAK’s ease of use and affordability offered the perfect solution to ensure a simple and seamless deployment process to thousands of desktops across the country. The ability to change user options from a centralized server for ongoing client management was important to Sprint Spectrum, and the use of the IEAK made this an effortless task.

“Sprint Spectrum’s intranet site will be more than just a method of communication with our employees – it will be an integral part of our day-to-day operations,”
said Stacy L. Wilson, ABC senior manager of internal and electronic communications at Sprint Spectrum.
“We needed a way to roll out our intranet solution, which includes Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, very quickly. The Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit was the easiest and most cost-effective way to make that happen.”

The IEAK is a great solution for corporations wanting to provide Internet technology to their users through the following features:

  • Easy-to-use wizard
    technology. The IEAK includes Microsoft’s wizard technology, which takes administrators step-by-step through the process of creating hands-free Microsoft Internet Explorer installations.

  • Preconfiguration of user options. It’s easy to preconfigure proxy server and NetMeeting user location server settings, determine whether users should have access to software components such as Java
    ™
    , ActiveX
    ™
    Controls or scripting, as well as other user options providing increased control and security.

  • Cross-platform support. IEAK includes support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for the Windows® 95 and Windows NT® Workstation operating systems, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.1 for Windows 3.1. An update, due next month, will add support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.1 for the Macintosh.

Administrators can use the IEAK to manage their users remotely on a continuing basis, eliminating the need to travel to each user’s machine. The IEAK lets administrators update user settings for individuals, groups or an entire organization by making simple changes to centrally stored files. For example, the IEAK can enable the automatic change of a proxy server from a central location, eliminating the typical manual work for administrators.

The IEAK also solves many of the problems confronting ISPs today. For an ISP with a growing customer base, the cost of implementing and distributing Internet browser technology for new customers can be prohibitive. DiscoverNet Inc., an ISP in Connecticut, cites several reasons for deploying the IEAK.

“Using the IEAK from Microsoft is a win-win situation,”
said Evan Katz, president of DiscoverNet Inc.
“Not only does the IEAK save us money, but it empowers us with tons of personalization options including personalizing the user interface, linking our own search page to the search option, and customizing our domain name server. With the IEAK and Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft has provided us with the right solution at the right time, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

The IEAK makes it easy for ISPs to provide Microsoft Internet Explorer to their customers by allowing them to accomplish the following:

  • Create a distinctive identity for their service. This can be done by quickly and easily customizing the entire browser, including the title bar, the icon, start and search pages, and favorites.

  • Make the installation process easy for end users. Instead of requiring users to install various programs (e.g., NetMeeting, Internet Mail and News, third-party software) separately and manually, IEAK enables the creation of an automated, comprehensive installation package in which all settings and options are preconfigured.

  • Save money by distributing Microsoft Internet Explorer at no cost. There are no distribution or licensing fees.

Customers can obtain the new version of the IEAK from Microsoft by completing the online request form at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ieak/ . Current IEAK 2.0 customers will receive the new kit automatically at no cost.

The IEAK is available immediately in English and Japanese. Versions in traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian and Korean are scheduled to be released within 30 days.

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

Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.

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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