REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 7, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate worldwide availability of Microsoft® Vizact 2000, which allows users to communicate more effectively by adding the dynamic and engaging features of the Web to their HTML documents.
The innovative Vizact 2000 technology allows users to add multimedia functionality such as timing, animation and interactivity to their Web documents, turning them into
“active documents.”
Vizact 2000 helps reduce information overload and enables users to make their message memorable by easily taking advantage of the latest dynamic Web technologies using the familiar Office interface.
“Vizact 2000 reinvents what people can do with documents,”
said Ebbe Altberg, product unit manager at Microsoft.
“It’s an innovative product that unleashes a new set of possibilities for grabbing and holding a viewer’s attention.”
“As the flow of information becomes increasingly overwhelming, communicators will need to devise new ways to ensure that their messages rise above the noise. So-called active documents are effective media because they are dynamic, engaging and memorable,”
said Chris Shipley, analyst and editor of DemoLetter.
“Microsoft recognized this issue early on and has come to market first with a product that’s as easy to use as it is exciting and powerful. Vizact 2000 should do very well in the marketplace.”
According to Ernst & Young consultant Peter Novins,
“Ernst & Young’s Knowledge and Learning Solutions practice group will be using Vizact 2000 to present information in engaging and innovative ways. In the knowledge management space, we see Vizact enriching the ways in which complex content can be communicated. We are using the application to develop an innovative presentation of our corporate knowledge management solutions.”
This group at Ernst & Young is using Vizact to help communicate its Knowledge Management strategy. The group is currently using documents that have been created and are delivered as more traditional presentations. Vizact 2000 is being used to transform these static documents into interactive online presentations, eliminating the need for a presenter. Vizact will allow Ernst & Young to drive home key points in a more memorable way as well as give users the ability to choose the information that is relevant to them according to their own pace.
With Vizact 2000, document authors can control multimedia functionality (e.g., text, images and sound) in their documents to increase attention to key messages, enhancing readers’ understanding and retention of ideas. Via the innovative Vizact Timeline, users can control when elements appear and disappear, the movement of elements, and the reaction of the elements to a user’s mouse.
Since Vizact looks and works like the Office family of applications, new users can get up and running quickly and easily. Vizact includes professionally designed wizards and templates, giving users impressive, professional results without requiring them to master new technology. Part of Microsoft’s overall knowledge management strategy, Vizact is an excellent example of providing knowledge workers with the right information at the right time. They can emphasize key information and details and become more effective in their communication.
Pricing and Availability
Vizact 2000 is available now in stores for the suggested retail price of $149.
Computer users worldwide can obtain information about Microsoft Vizact 2000 at http://www.microsoft.com/vizact/ and about other Microsoft products at the company’s World Wide Web home page at http://www.microsoft.com/
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader is 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 Vizact 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.
Ernst & Young LLP (www.ey.com) provides assurance and advisory business services, tax services and consulting for domestic and global clients. The firm has 30,000 people in 87 U.S. cities. Ernst & Young LLP is a member firm of Ernst & Young International (www.eyi.com), a global organization whose member firms have more than 85,000 people working in 675 cities.
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