REDMOND, Wash., and HOUSTON, Sept. 10, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp. today announced a technology initiative designed to make Compaq’s 64-bit Digital UNIX operating system even more broadly interoperable with the Microsoft ÒWindows NT Ò operating system. This initiative addresses the requirement of customers who need both Windows NT Server and UNIX in their data center and want a very high level of interoperability and investment protection for their systems, storage, applications and human resources assets.
Significant interoperability is already part of both companies’ products. This initiative builds on that foundation by adding the following:
-
Support for the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) on Compaq’s Digital UNIX, allowing better integration between the programming models of the two operating systems
-
Security and Active Directory interoperability engineering
-
Transaction processing and data management interoperability services, allowing reliable execution of distributed, heterogeneous transaction processing and database operations
-
Microsoft Windows NT-based services for UNIX support for Compaq’s Digital UNIX
Some of these technologies will also be implemented on and will enhance interoperability between OpenVMS and the Tandem NonStop Kernel platforms with Windows NT.
“Customers benefit from reduced complexity and risk,”
said Paul Maritz, group vice president, platforms and applications, Microsoft.
“Customers have told us they need a programming environment and interoperability services that address a very high level of integration between their UNIX assets and their Windows NT-based assets, allowing them to commit to Windows NT as their long-term strategy.”
“Compaq and Microsoft are committed to creating enterprise-class interoperability between Windows NT Server and Compaq’s Digital UNIX,”
said John T. Rose, senior vice president and group general manager, enterprise computing group, Compaq.
”
Compaq’s Digital UNIX takes a collaborative rather than competitive approach to interoperating with
Windows NT. Our customers’ capabilities to deploy high-availability, mixed systems environments that integrate with core Windows NT-based services, such as COM and Windows NT security, will be dramatically increased.”
“While many UNIX vendors are strengthening their Windows NT-based interoperability, Compaq is making a strategic investment and has a sophisticated architected model for the heterogeneous data center,”
said Michael Goulde, vice president of research at the Patricia Seybold Group.
“The Compaq Alpha systems, which can run either UNIX or Windows NT, are also an important part of Compaq’s investment protection message.”
Microsoft and Compaq plan to create a public strategy road map providing more details on these initiatives as these products near market.
About Compaq
Founded in 1992, Compaq Computer Corp. is a Fortune Global 100 company. Compaq is the second-largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal
computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at http://www.compaq.com/ or by calling (800) OK-COMPAQ (652-6672). Product information and reseller locations are available by calling (800) 345-1518.
About Microsoft
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 and Windows NT 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.
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.
