Microsoft and Level8 Systems Team to Provide Windows To Legacy Connectivity

DENVER, Oct. 12, 1998 — Today at the Professional Developers Conference, Microsoft Corp. and Level8 Systems, a leading provider of messaging middleware technology, announced an agreement to help large organizations address the complex interoperability issues in their enterprise.

As part of this agreement, Microsoft will license Level8 Systems’ FalconMQ
™Bridge, designed to extend the functionality of Microsoft® Message Queue Server (MSMQ) to integrate with IBM’s MQSeries. Microsoft recommends the Level8 FalconMQ Clients as MSMQ API implementations on operating systems other than Microsoft Windows® . With this agreement, Microsoft furthers its commitment to support the increasing needs of enterprise developers deploying distributed applications across heterogeneous environments.

Interoperability is one of the biggest challenges facing enterprise developers today. This announcement, the latest in a series of Microsoft licensing announcements, underscores the company’s commitment to providing developers with tight interoperability with platforms other than Windows.

“The strong interoperability of Windows NT® is further enhanced by this agreement,”
said Tod Nielsen, general manager for developer relations, Microsoft.
“With Level8 FalconMQ products, MSMQ plays a significant role in Microsoft’s cross-platform interoperability and application integration strategy.”

Microsoft teamed up with Level8 Systems because of its focus on message queuing, one of the fastest growing technologies in enterprise computing. Message queuing is used by developers to guarantee reliable data delivery in applications, even if the network goes down.

“Together, MSMQ and FalconMQ Clients provide the most comprehensive cross-platform message queuing solution available on the market today,”
said Sam Somech, president and CTO of Level8 Systems.
“We find this agreement mutually beneficial. Joining with an industry leader provides us with opportunity to explore untapped market areas, and it also provides Microsoft with new interoperability capabilities for its enterprise customers.”

Availability and Support

Microsoft will include Level8 FalconMQ Server with the Windows NT Server operating system and will also make it available for download at the Microsoft Web site ( http://www.microsoft.com/ ). The FalconMQ Server interacts with FalconMQ Clients that run on non-Windows platforms.

Microsoft will provide Level 1 support for FalconMQ Client and Level 2 support for FalconMQ Server. Level8 Systems will release an enhanced version of FalconMQ Client that supports message queuing on non-Windows platforms starting in the first quarter of 1999.

About Level8 Systems

Founded in 1994, Level8 Systems is a leading provider of message-oriented middleware technology. The company offers message queuing interoperability and enterprise application integration products that allow enterprise connectivity between heterogeneous platforms. For

more information on Level8 Systems, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.level8.com/ or call (212) 244-1234.

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, Windows 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.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include the operational integration associated with mergers and acquisitions; market responses to pricing actions and promotional programs; the implementation of operations and systems improvements; timely development, production and acceptance of the products; continued competitive factors and pricing pressures; changes in product mix; and inventory risks due to shifts in market demand. Further information on the factors that could affect Level8’s financial results are included in the company’s SEC filings, including the Level8 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, and the Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997.

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