Commerce Offerings From Microsoft Technology Providers Fact Sheet

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Customers around the world are experiencing the benefits of working with Microsoft Corp. and its associates to deploy innovative e-commerce solutions that meet their business challenges. Currently, customers are working with more than 100 leading independent software vendors (ISVs), eight global alliance partners, 70 hosting service providers and thousands of Microsoft® Certified Solution Providers (MCSPs) to develop e-commerce solutions based on Microsoft technologies.

Independent Software Vendors

  • More than 100 ISVs support the Microsoft Commerce Platform.

  • Microsoft has programs in place to provide ISVs with access to technical information and support in connection with development of solutions on the Microsoft platform. This includes opportunities to participate in beta software programs for future commerce technologies.

Microsoft works closely with ISVs to establish open, standard formats for software technologies and, as part of the BizTalk initiative, Microsoft will continue to work with ISVs to build on the following industry-specific initiatives:

ActiveStore

ActiveStore® retail technology architecture is a multivendor initiative led by Microsoft that aims to reduce the cost, time and risk associated with deploying retail technology at the store level. ActiveStore enables a true Plug and Play environment by making it easier for retail solutions from various vendors to work together, so retailers can select best-of-breed components from any source. ActiveStore is supported by more than 350 ISVs and works for all sizes and types of retailers, including physical stores, supply chains and electronic retailing.

Value Chain Initiative

Developed in September 1996, the Value Chain Initiative (VCI) is a consortium of ISVs and other companies seeking to enhance supply-chain efficiencies both domestically and globally. The VCI consortium, led by Microsoft, is dedicated to providing an end-to-end supply-chain framework, allowing companies to integrate applications, link with entire value chains of their trading partners regardless of size, and share dynamic information in real time.

Windows DNA for Financial Services

Announced in December 1997, Windows Distributed interNet Applications architecture for Financial Services (Windows DNAfs) is an industry framework that will allow financial software applications to seamlessly exchange information with each other and legacy mainframe systems. Currently more than 40 leading Microsoft Certified Solution Developers support the framework.

ActiveX for Healthcare

ActiveX® for Healthcare is based on the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) to enable Plug and Play interoperability between health-care applications. With ActiveX for Healthcare, health-care organizations will be able to integrate patient information, as well as data from various departments such as radiology and pharmacy, regardless of the software applications being used. ActiveX for Healthcare is designed to offer a true Plug and Play environment that allows health-care organizations to select best-of-breed components from any source, without the cost, risk or limitations of reliance on a single supplier. More than 75 ISVs support the ActiveX for Healthcare architecture.

COM for Energy

COM for Energy is a new nonprofit industry initiative to improve exploration and production business performance on an enterprise scale by accelerating technical and business process integration. COM for Energy will develop software interface specifications for interoperability of technical and business applications to support petroleum exploration and production. These open business object specifications will be based on the Microsoft COM architecture. COM for Energy specifications will focus on integrating operational, financial and management processes to create a better understanding of the financial and business implications of operations throughout the oil and gas value chain.

Windows DNA for Manufacturing

Launched Feb. 23 and 24, 1999, and supported by more than 180 ISVs, Microsoft Windows DNA for Manufacturing is a framework that allows manufacturing software applications to integrate seamlessly with one another. Windows DNA for Manufacturing essentially creates a “digital nervous system” within a manufacturing environment, utilizing COM technologies to enable easy information flow between plant applications, from enterprise resource planning (ERP) to the shop floor. Windows DNA for Manufacturing allows manufacturers to optimize basic operations and react to unplanned events, while achieving a greater competitive advantage.

Global Alliance Partners (For more detailed information on each partner, refer to the addendum at the end of this document.)

  • 16,500 Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers and Microsoft Certified Solution Developers

  • 39 solution centers focused on Microsoft products and technologies

  • 34 solution areas in specific go-to-market agreements

  • 70 Microsoft Consulting Services’ Partner Program Managers

  • Eight Global Alliance Partners focused on Microsoft commerce solutions and services based on Microsoft technologies. These include Amdahl Corp. and DMR Consulting (an Amdahl company), Cambridge Technology Partners, Compaq Computer Corp., Ernst & Young LLP, ICL, KPMG LLP, NCR Corp. and USWeb/CKS.

  • Amdahl Corp. and DMR Consulting Group Inc. (an Amdahl company) offer organizations e-commerce and Web-to-host solutions that integrate with legacy databases and leverage Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition and Microsoft Transaction Server.

  • As part of the enterprise alliance, Cambridge Technology Partners and Microsoft are collaborating to build business solutions based on Microsoft’s Commerce Platform that utilize Internet technology and advanced architectures to create new commerce opportunities.

  • Compaq, the only company endorsed by Microsoft as Worldwide Prime Integrator for the Windows NT operating system, has delivered solutions to many of the world’s most successful Internet commerce sites.

  • Ernst & Young rapidly designs and delivers end-to-end business solutions that help transform companies and enable them to quickly create value in a connected economy. The firm offers eCommerce RapidStart, a service designed to deliver a complete e-commerce business Web site in less than 30 days. Solutions are built using the Windows DNA architecture, including Microsoft Site Server, SQL Server
    ™
    and Microsoft Exchange.

  • An alliance partner since May 1998, ICL provides mission-critical, consumer-focused solutions designed to simplify the way people live, work, learn and shop. The ICLnet worldwide network and a managed-service capability bring customers highly effective, low-cost e-commerce solutions on the Microsoft platform.

  • – KPMG LLP is offering industry-focused, end-to-end commerce solutions in customer management and supply chain management based on Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition. Through its relationship with Microsoft, KPMG continues to build repeatable, application-based, high-impact solutions using Microsoft’s enterprise technologies.

  • NCR is providing customer relationship management (CRM) solutions based on Microsoft’s and NCR’s products and services and designed to enable businesses to track their customers through every interaction — from a purchase over the Internet to a phone call to customer service to a visit to a retail outlet — by leveraging data warehouse industry solutions.

  • USWeb/CKS, a leading professional services firm, provides business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce solutions based on the Microsoft Commerce Platform. USWeb/CKS has helped hundreds of businesses advance their Internet strategy, traditional IT systems and marketing communications programs.

MCSPs in Commerce

  • Nearly 11,000 Microsoft Certified Solution Providers (MCSPs) worldwide say they are currently implementing e-commerce solutions.

  • At least 150 MCSPs have expertise on Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition.

  • Approximately 1,200 MCSPs and Site Builders within the United States were part of an Advanced Web Developer training series.

  • More than 5,000 Web developers were trained in 1998 on deploying Microsoft commerce solutions.

Training and Certification

The following Microsoft certifications include commerce components:

  • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer+Internet. This credential confirms the IT professional’s ability to enhance, deploy and manage sophisticated intranet and Internet solutions, including a browser, proxy server, host servers, database and messaging and commerce components. Currently 3,032 systems engineers have earned this certification.

  • Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD). MCSDs are qualified to create multitier, distributed and COM-based solutions, in addition to desktop and Internet applications, using new technologies such as the Microsoft Visual Studio development system and Microsoft Transaction Server. Currently 15,933 solution developers have earned this certification.

  • Microsoft Certified Professional+Internet. IT professionals with this credential are qualified to plan security, install and configure server products, manage server resources, extend servers to run CGI scripts or Internet Server API (ISAPI) scripts, monitor and analyze performance, and trouble-shoot problems. Currently 52,370 IT professionals have earned this certification.

  • Microsoft Certified Professional+Site Building. This credential is designed specifically for individuals planning, building, managing and maintaining Web sites. Candidates are required to pass two exams, and they can select the Visual InterDev
    ™Web development system version 6.0, the FrontPage Web site creation and management tool and/or Site Server Commerce Edition version 3.0. The first exam was made available seven weeks ago.

  • Twenty e-commerce seminars are currently available online at http://www.microsoft
    .com/seminar/. They include Lessons Learned in Business-to-Business Commerce Applications, and Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition Architecture.

  • Free technical briefings are available on TechNet, a Microsoft Web site offering how-to information, tools and resources to help IT professionals deploy and support commerce solutions (connect-time charges may apply). Topics include the following:

  • How to Design and Deploy Business Systems for Corporate Purchasing provides information on how to build business commerce solutions such as corporate purchasing using Internet Information Server, COM, Microsoft SQL Server and Site Server Commerce Edition.

  • Building Windows Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) With Visual Studio 6.0 shows how Visual Studio 6.0 enables development of multitier Web applications for Windows NT Server, with a demonstration of the assembly of a Windows DNA-based application.

  • Distributed Programming With DCOM and Microsoft Transaction Server explains the fundamentals of the Microsoft Transaction Server programming model and architecture, COM, Microsoft Transaction Server security and the DCOM wire protocol.

  • Instructor-led training. Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers (CTECs) offer e-commerce courses that include these

Hosting Service Providers

  • More than 70 commerce-hosting providers now support the Microsoft platform.

  • Microsoft has teamed with 10 commerce-hosting service providers, including Compaq Computer Corp., Intel and USWeb/CKS, to help customers build commerce-enabled Web sites through the Complete Commerce package.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.microsoft.com/dns/

http://www.microsoft.com/industry/commerce/

http://www.microsoft.com/certpartner/

Addendum

Microsoft’s Global Alliance Relationships in E-Commerce

To meet the complex computing needs of enterprise customers, Microsoft Corp. forms go-to-market alliances with global technology companies, systems integrators, consulting firms and other service organizations. Organized around specific technologies or vertical customer segments, these alliances are designed to create comprehensive and value-added product, service and supply chains. The partnerships deliver replicable line-of-business solutions optimized for the Microsoft platform, enabling customers to achieve business value cost-effectively and with low risk. Customers also gain the opportunity to utilize the core competencies of service providers at every level of the IT supply chain to receive the best services.

Microsoft is working with several alliance relationships to bring customers replicable e-commerce solutions in the areas of direct marketing, selling and service, corporate procurement, and supply chain. Delivered on the Microsoft Commerce Platform, these solutions are designed to help organizations forge stronger relationships with their customers and partners.

Microsoft’s global alliance partners in e-commerce include the following:

Amdahl Corp. and DMR Consulting Group Inc. (an Amdahl company) offer organizations e-commerce and Web-to-host solutions. Amdahl and DMR design and deliver transactional commerce solutions that integrate with legacy databases and use Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition and Microsoft Transaction Server. These solutions are designed to take full advantage of the distributed and Web-based computing benefits of the Microsoft Windows NT Server operating system and the Microsoft BackOffice® family while protecting investments in host data and applications. Amdahl’s Host Integration Lab in Sunnyvale, Calif., is used to design and develop integrated enterprise solutions and to provide customers with 24×7 service and support.

Recent DMR e-commerce wins include the development for New North Media of an innovative e-commerce offering for the telco industry and the implementation by DMR’s Metalink subsidiary of Web-based kiosks in public malls utilizing Microsoft Site Server technology. DMR will open two business solution centers featuring e-commerce solutions in Toronto and Edison, N.J., later in 1999. For further information on these wins, see the following Web sites:

  • http://www.metalink.com/english/ipsat.html

  • http://www.microsoft.com/canada/casestudies/case054.htm

  • http://www.microsoft.com/enterprise/building/alliances/
    partner/amdahl.htm

As part of the enterprise alliance, Cambridge Technology Partners (Cambridge) and Microsoft are collaborating to build business solutions that utilize Internet technology and advanced architectures to create new commerce opportunities. These New Business Ecosystems (NBEs) will digitally link multiple businesses to create sophisticated online commerce communities and include

  • Business-to-business supply chain integration for value chain trading

  • ERP commerce extension to enable supply chain management for corporate procurement

  • Customer Management commerce solutions

Deployed via a broad range of Cambridge services — including Interactive Solutions, Customer Management Solutions, Enterprise Resource Solutions and Management Consulting — these solutions are based on Microsoft’s Commerce Platform and make full use of the Microsoft VCI.

Cambridge has more than 400 dedicated Interactive Solutions consultants worldwide and uses a fixed-time, fixed-price methodology to lower costs and risks for customers, reduce the time of deployment, and speed the delivery of business value. Cambridge’s strength in developing innovative, state-of-the-art e-commerce solutions was recognized by Forrester Research Inc. in its “Grading the Transactive Content Integrators” report. The Web Marketing Association Inc. (WMA) presented Cambridge Technology Partners with the 1998 Outstanding Web Site WebAward for its role in the online strategy and systems integration of Standard & Poor’s investment advisory service, S & P Personal Wealth (http://www.personalwealth.com/). Cambridge is implementing a comprehensive business-to-business procurement system for Telstra Corp. of Australia.



Compaq Computer Corp., the only company endorsed by Microsoft as Worldwide Prime Integrator for Windows NT, offers more experience and expertise on Microsoft technology than any other vendor, with

  • 15,000 Microsoft trained engineers

  • 2,500 Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs) and Microsoft Certified Solution Developers (MCSDs)

  • A worldwide team of elite technical specialists, called Site Server Wizards

Also, Compaq Services’ new next-generation network IT services, supported by 2,500 Internet and networking engineers, help companies build adaptive network infrastructures to accommodate the speed, bandwidth and scalability requirements of Internet applications.

Compaq’s commerce solutions portfolio, delivered to many of the world’s most successful Internet commerce sites, includes the following:

  • A Complete Commerce storefront package with Internet service provider (ISP) dedicated hosting, and the hardware, software and services needed to get a storefront up fast and cost effectively

  • Value Chain Integration hardware and systems integration services

  • An Office Supplies Purchasing solution (modeled after Microsoft’s internal MS Market solution)

  • Extensive Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition sizing, configuration and installation information for single-server and multiserver deployments on the Compaq ActiveAnswers extranet site (http://www.compaq.com/activeanswers)

Compaq customer examples include the following:

  • Planning and implementing 9NETAVENUE’s online shopping mall (http://www.giantmall.com/) using Microsoft Site Server and Microsoft Commercial Internet Services (MCIS)

  • Implementing, managing and supporting the infrastructure and security of the MSN
    ™
    network of Internet services, including Expedia
    ™
    travel services, and MSNBC.

Ernst & Young (E & Y) rapidly designs and delivers end-to-end business solutions that help transform companies and enable them to quickly create value in a connected economy. The firm offers eCommerce RapidStart, a service designed to deliver a complete e-commerce business Web site in less than 30 days. This innovative service includes a multirelease program to incrementally scale and enhance site capabilities as clients expand their presence on the Web. The first 30 days of eCommerce RapidStart take place within E & Y’s Advanced Development Centers (ADCs), jointly staffed by Microsoft and E & Y. During this time, Ernst & Young helps clients develop a complete Web business strategy and rapidly assemble best-of-breed components from leading hardware and software vendors that best complement the Microsoft Commerce Platform. Solutions are built using the Windows Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) architecture, including Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition, Microsoft BackOffice and Microsoft Exchange. The eCommerce RapidStart service also includes optional site hosting and preconfigured hardware to operate the commerce applications. Ernst & Young staffs ADCs in more than 15 cities in regions around the world, including North America, Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

An alliance partner since May 1998, ICL provides mission-critical, consumer-focused solutions designed to simplify the way people live, work, learn and shop. ICL leverages a combination of professional services, relationships with ISVs, the ICLnet worldwide network, and a managed-service capability to bring customers highly effective, low-cost e-commerce solutions on the Microsoft platform. ICL also uses the knowledge and skills developed in its e-commerce centers of excellence to assist the ICL vertical practices within countries to deliver e-commerce solutions based on the experience, knowledge and components of five key areas: Online Venues, Online Shopping, Automated Procurement, Content Management and Access Portals. As Microsoft’s first strategic enterprise alliance partner based in Europe, ICL is training and certifying 4,000 ICL staff members to become MCSEs and MCSDs, representing Europe’s largest IT training program.

KPMG has more than 2,000 commerce professionals — including more than 300 that are Microsoft Certified — delivering one-to-one marketing, corporate procurement, virtual financial services, and macro supply chain consulting to many Global 1000 enterprises. Through its partnership with Microsoft, KPMG continues to build repeatable, application-based, high impact solutions using Microsoft’s enterprise technologies. KPMG is a member of the Windows DNA for Financial Services (DNAfs) workgroup and a founding partner of the industry’s Value Chain Initiative (VCI) led by Microsoft.

NCR Corp. provides customer relationship management (CRM) solutions that enable businesses to make the right offer to the right customer at the right time and through the right channel. NCR’s solutions enable businesses to better understand and serve their customers through every transaction, from a purchase over the Internet to a phone call to customer service to a visit to a retail outlet, by leveraging data warehouse industry solutions. Transactions are the critical interface between a customer’s brand and the consumer. NCR’s offerings for e-commerce, which are based on Microsoft products, include these:

  • SmartEC Decisions, a cross-industry solution, combines decision support data warehousing, customer relationship management, and e-commerce to deliver innovative and scalable applications to connect, know and relate to business customers.

  • NCR leverages the Microsoft framework to enable NCR customers to fully analyze their e-commerce business. The CRM offerings allow retailers and financial companies to understand customers and products in detail across all sales channels, while respecting the privacy of the customer.

  • Customer Interaction Solutions (CIS) enables the business of transactions and interactions. This portfolio of offers provides enterprise customers with a highly available Web commerce platform for enabling secure and reliable Internet-based e-commerce transactions.

NCR has a deep and wide global services organization, is training and certifying 1,000 MCSEs, and has opened a Microsoft-centric Enterprise Solutions Center in Columbia, S.C. NCR has identified locations for opening 10 additional Business Solutions Centers worldwide in support of the alliance.

USWeb/CKS, a leading professional services firm, provides business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce solutions based on the Microsoft Commerce Platform. With more than 2,000 professionals, USWeb/CKS has helped hundreds of businesses advance their Internet strategy, traditional IT systems and marketing communications programs. In addition, a new division of the company, USWeb/CKS E-Services, provides comprehensive outsourced management of e-commerce solutions on a monthly subscription model for midmarket and Fortune 1000 companies. E-Services is an emerging leader in the Application Service Provider (ASP) market, providing corporate business professionals and resource-constrained IT organizations cost-effective, accelerated access to the latest technologies to enhance existing business systems while enabling them to focus on core competencies. Initial e-commerce services include a business-to-consumer direct sales solution based on Microsoft Complete Commerce, as well as corporate purchasing and supply chain management services. USWeb/CKS has a proven record of over 200 e-commerce engagements, including implementations for Levi Strauss and Co., Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., DVD EXPRESS Inc., Ingram Micro Inc., Furniture.com Inc. and others.

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Microsoft, ActiveStore, ActiveX, Windows NT, Visual Studio, Visual InterDev, FrontPage, Windows, BackOffice, MSN and Expedia 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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