Microsoft Enlists Keynote Systems To Monitor MSN Performance and Enhance Consumer Experience

REDMOND, Wash., June 16, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has signed a multiyear services and development agreement with Keynote Systems Inc. for continual measurement and monitoring of the quality of service of the Microsoft® MSN TM network of Internet services. The Keynote Perspective TM service will help Microsoft establish benchmarks for Web site performance and reliability, and determine the effects of these elements on consumer satisfaction. MSN will use the continuous flow of performance data to optimize consumers’ experience and level of satisfaction.

Keynote will provide MSN with data on the performance and availability of sites on the MSN network. Measurements will be taken frequently from up to 90 Keynote locations around the world. The constant measurement stream will enable MSN to evaluate in real time the effects of changes to site content or infrastructure and how those changes are affecting the experience of consumers using sites on the MSN network.

“Internet consumers don’t care about server load or peak traffic hours – they want a fast, reliable site that helps them get more done online in less time,”
said Yusuf Mehdi, director of Marketing for the Consumer and Commerce Group at Microsoft.
“Keynote is an established authority in this field, with an extensive worldwide infrastructure that measures quality of service from the perspective of our users. MSN is already deploying some of the most reliable and best-performing Web sites on the Internet, and Keynote’s services will help us maintain and improve that performance.”

“Quality of service is paramount for successful e-commerce, where every second counts because consumers are only a mouse-click away from a competitor,”
said Umang Gupta, chairman and CEO of Keynote Systems.
“We’re pleased to be working with Microsoft, and we are committed to helping them maintain their already high performance levels by measuring MSN performance around the clock from the perspective of users at work and at home.”

About Keynote Systems

Keynote Systems is the world’s leading supplier of Internet performance measurement, diagnostic and consulting services to companies that operate e-commerce Web sites. The company markets Keynote Perspective, a global real-time service that measures, assures and improves the quality of service of e-commerce Web sites around the world. The foundation of the service is an extensive network of strategically located customizable software measurement agents connected to the major Internet backbones in 90 locations worldwide plus a sophisticated operations center for collecting and disseminating Internet performance and availability data. In addition to Microsoft, Keynote customers include over 800 of the world’s busiest and most successful e-commerce Web sites and hosting companies – including Amazon.com Inc., CDNow Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Dell Computer Corp., DoubleClick Inc. and Intermedia Communications Inc. – that use the service to ensure competitiveness and improve customer satisfaction.

For further information about Keynote Perspective, visit Keynote’s Web site at http://www.keynote.com/newsfpa.html or contact the company at Keynote Systems Inc., 2855 Campus Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403, telephone (650) 522-1000, fax (650) 522-1099, e-mail [email protected].

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 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; wireless services information; 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 and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Keynote Perspective is a trademark of Keynote Systems.

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.

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