REDMOND, Wash., April 1, 1997 —
Crestar Financial Corp.
today became the latest major corporation to choose Microsoft® Internet Explorer 3.0, currently the world’s fastest-growing Web browser among Internet users, as the standard for employee access to its corporate intranet and the Internet. This decision will put Microsoft Internet Explorer on more than 4,000 desktops at Crestar.
Crestar chose Microsoft Internet Explorer over other browsers for the following reasons:
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Microsoft Internet Explorer offers seamless integration with Crestar’s existing and planned enterprise environment.
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Microsoft Internet Explorer’s comprehensive authoring environment permits departmental migration and reduces resource costs.
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Microsoft developed an architecture that permits easy modular expansion from static page publishing to interactive database applications and webcasting.
“We chose Microsoft Internet Explorer because we needed a level of sophistication and desktop-server integration that could not be found anywhere else,” said Calvin Eaton, senior vice president of network services planning at Crestar. “In addition, it positions us to take full advantage of the power of ActiveX
™
and reduces training and administration costs for us. We’re convinced that Microsoft has a compelling intranet strategy, one that will support our current and future business requirements.”
Crestar’s intranet will serve a variety of needs for Crestar employees. In addition to publishing corporate and human resources information, Crestar will use its intranet for a variety of specialized applications, such as the Change and Problem Management System (CPMS). Employees will use the CPMS to access knowledge bases, request telecommunications services or report problems. They will log on to the application and enter their name and problem, and the system will automatically route the help request to the appropriate department. The system will produce a significant savings in administrative costs and time for Crestar.
Microsoft Internet Explorer Provides Tight Integration With Back-End Systems
Applications such as Crestar’s CPMS require integration between server, workstation and networking software, a task at which Microsoft Internet Explorer excels, offering integration with technologies including the Windows NT® Server network operating system, Microsoft Internet Information Server and Microsoft Commercial Internet System (formerly code-named “Normandy”). This smooth integration will minimize compatibility problems for Crestar developers.
Microsoft Internet Explorer will enable Crestar to make the best use of ActiveX technologies. The company will be writing ActiveX Controls to provide browser-based access to its back-end server databases.
Eaton also said Microsoft Internet Explorer offers the best integration with Crestar’s clients running the Windows® 95 operating system and Office 95. The company has already upgraded more than 1,000 desktops to its new 32-bit Windows standard and expects most will be upgraded by year end.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Provides a Comprehensive Authoring Environment
Crestar expects the selection of Microsoft Internet Explorer to enable different departments in the company to migrate from a centralized effort to a decentralized publishing system. In addition, Crestar will use the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit to upgrade all 4,000 desktops from a single, centralized location, minimizing the need to send IT personnel into the field.
Because the Microsoft Internet Explorer interface is intuitive for most users of Windows, it minimizes the need – and cost – for specialized training and technical support. Crestar can also customize the intranet interface and create ActiveX Controls using its familiar development tools, including the Visual Basic® programming system, thus saving the time and expense of buying new development tools as well as training employees to use them. Microsoft Internet Explorer also provides cost-savings because it’s easy to manage from a centralized location.
Eaton said he also expects that Microsoft’s intranet commitment, software industry leadership and experience will benefit Crestar over the long term. Crestar is among the largest East Coast banking systems and serves 2.1 million households from 476 locations in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, as well as selected national customers and markets.
Crestar joins the growing number of leading companies that have selected Microsoft Internet Explorer as their corporate standard, including Arthur Andersen L.L.P., Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., Compaq Computer Corp., Continental Airlines Inc., Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., FINA Oil and Chemical Co., Intergraph Corp., Reynolds Metals and Sprint PCS.
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, ActiveX , Windows NT , Windows and Visual Basic are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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