REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 27, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. today announced they have delivered on their commitment to support the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) in the Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system Second Edition as well as the Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server operating systems, increasing Internet printing functionality and providing customers with the ability to send print documents to anyone across the Internet.
Specifically, the companies are providing a beta version of the standards-based implementation of the Internet Printing Protocol natively in the third beta release of Windows 2000 Professional and Server. In addition, final versions of the Internet printing client, called Internet Printing Services, are available for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 98 and Windows 95.
“In an increasingly mobile and often virtual work environment, we have seen the need for innovative technologies to address the changing needs of our customers,”
said Carl Stork, general manager for Hardware Evangelism and Strategy at Microsoft.
“By providing support for IPP in Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows 2000 Professional and Server, Microsoft is delivering advanced printing solutions to our business and consumer customers.”
IPP makes sending documents easier than ever. Instead of using a fax machine, overnight mail or e-mail attachments, a user with an Internet connection can send a document to any Internet-connected printer. For example, hotel business centers can now provide business travelers with the ability to receive materials, such as color presentations or other urgent materials, at the hotel. In addition, businesses can now connect their printers to the Internet and enable employees who are traveling or working remotely to communicate with their headquarters more easily.
“The Internet is driving the evolution of network printing,”
said Rich Raimondi, senior vice president and general manager of Hardcopy Solutions and Services at HP.
“IPP is the vehicle that has allowed companies like HP and Microsoft to deliver these best-in-class solutions to customers.”
Microsoft and HP have championed the development of IPP and have worked closely with the Printer Working Group (PWG), a consortium of all major companies involved in printing. IPP 1.0 has not been approved as a standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). IPP 1.1 is in development as a standards-track document with the IETF.
Hewlett-Packard was the industry’s first vendor to implement an Internet printing solution based on the Internet Printing Protocol. The company has extended IPP support across the majority of its industry-leading JetDirect print server product line. This new technology promises to introduce a new distribution model, allowing economical distribution of high-quality hard-copy documents over the Internet.
Availability
A beta version of IPP is available in the third beta release of Windows 2000 Professional and Server. Customers who wish to obtain a copy of the third beta release of Windows 2000 Professional or Server can do so by joining Microsoft’s Corporate Preview Program at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/preview/order.asp. In addition, final versions of Internet Printing Services are available for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 98 and Windows 95. Customers who wish to obtain Internet Printing Services for Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows 98 can download it from the Windows Update Web site at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and for Windows 95 at http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/ .
More information about Hewlett Packard’s Internet printing solution is available at http://www.hp.com/net_printing/ppss/ipt_info.html .
About HP
Hewlett-Packard – a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home – is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.
HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. HP plans to launch a new company consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, semiconductor products, chemical-analysis and medical businesses. These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP’s total revenue in fiscal 1998. With leading positions in multiple market segments, this technology-based company will focus on opportunities such as communications and life sciences.
HP has 123,000 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products and the company’s year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/ .
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 andpersonal 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.
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