Microsoft Acquires Leading Web-Based Calendar Company Jump Networks

REDMOND, Wash., April 26, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has agreed to acquire Jump Networks Inc. ( http://www.jump.com/ ), a leading provider of Web-based calendar services. Jump’s technology enables consumers to access their e-mail, address books and calendars from any Internet-connected computer.

When fully integrated with the MSN
™
network of Internet services, Jump’s technology will complement MSN communication services, including the MSN Hotmail
™
Web-based e-mail service and MSN Web Communities. Customers of MSN will be offered an all-in-one communications experience combining e-mail, calendaring capabilities and online communities. Jump’s technology will also facilitate commerce on MSN. Consumers will not only be notified of upcoming events that relate to their interests, they will also have the ability to automatically purchase goods and services through sale notices that have been sent to their calendars, so they can take advantage of the full breadth of the top-rated e-commerce services on MSN.

“Consumers want constant access to their personal calendars and shared event information so they can make the Web a more personal and productive tool,”
said Marty Taucher, director of MSN network communications.
“Integrating Jump’s premier technology with the award-winning Internet services on MSN will further empower consumers, no matter where they are.”

Jump! is recognized as one of the most feature-rich Web-based calendar services on the market. Jump! combines calendars, e-mail, address books, to-do lists and task reminders into a single service that resides on a central server. Groups can collaborate and share calendars and event information for free from any Internet-connected computer (connect-time charges may apply) – an appealing feature for frequent travelers, non-networked businesses, and teams located in different regions and time zones. Jump! also offers synchronization with several popular desktop personal information managers (PIMs), including the Microsoft Outlook® messaging and collaboration client, and handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs).

“We are very excited by this acquisition, because the value our team has created in Jump! will now benefit millions of MSN customers,”
said Bill Trenchard, chairman, founder and chief executive officer of Jump Networks.
“From the start, our vision has been to improve the way people get things done on the Web, so that they can focus on their lives rather than their tools. Our becoming a part of MSN kicks that process into overdrive.”

Employees of Jump Networks will join Microsoft’s Consumer and Commerce Group and will move from offices in Mountain View, Calif., to MSN Hotmail offices in San Jose, Calif. Trenchard will continue to work closely with the Jump! and MSN Hotmail teams to successfully integrate Jump’s technology into the MSN network. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About Jump Networks

Founded in 1998, Jump Networks developed the Web’s first free, completely connected calendar, e-mail and address book technology. Guided by the belief that interface design and task flow are key to the user experience, Jump Networks has created a Web-based product that allows users to communicate and organize the flow of information during their day without losing continuity of data or being forced to change windows, services or applications.

About MSN and Microsoft

MSN is the network of Internet services from Microsoft that helps people better organize the Web around what’s important to them. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at MSN.com ( http://MSN.com/ ), helps people easily stay in touch with friends and colleagues, make smart and secure purchasing decisions, and get more done. MSN offers award-winning
e-mail functionality; personal communications services; customizable access to news; popular sites for travel, investing, automotive services, shopping and more; an online community; a Web search engine and directories; and top-rated Internet access.

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, MSN, Hotmail and Outlook 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

Related Posts