Waltham, Mass., March 1, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the opening of the Microsoft Business Internet Solutions Center ( http://www.microsoft.com/newengland/ebizlabs/ ) in Waltham, Massachusetts. This first-of-its-kind facility will provide east coast based companies greater access to the people, partners, tools and information they need to develop scalable and reliable eBusiness solutions.
“Microsoft’s decision to open its doors to the community demonstrates a serious commitment to customers who are developing on the Microsoft platform,”
said Rich Secor, CIO of SmarterKids.com.
“Microsoft is providing valuable physical and intellectual resources to promote a much deeper business and technical relationship with SmarterKids.com. The new facility is helping us accelerate deployment of critical Microsoft technologies while the on-site consulting and technical staff provides beneficial strategic and tactical advice.”
Among its activities, the Business Internet Solutions Center will provide technical sessions and hands-on development assistance for developers, offer a speaker series on a broad range of technology and business topics, host special interest group meetings, and provide a number of business and co-marketing opportunities. The center’s technical labs feature state-of-the-art technology and hardware provided by Compaq Computer Corp. and will be staffed by Microsoft Consultants seasoned in building eBusiness solutions.
“The Microsoft Business Internet Solutions Center is designed to help companies realize the potential of the digital economy by integrating eBusiness solutions throughout their operations. Success is not just about selling on the Internet, it is about harnessing the power of internet technology to improve every aspect of your business operation.”
said Peter Boit, Vice President of the eBusiness Solutions Group at Microsoft.
“Everyone is talking about burning up the Internet with some new e-business strategy but they need help to take their ideas from concept to completion and that is what this center is all about. There are no cookie cutter solutions – every company has unique and specialized needs and that is what this lab is designed to accommodate.”
“Opening this center in Boston allows Microsoft to be closer to some of the world’s top dot-com businesses that are driving eCommerce solutions,” said Joyce L. Plotkin, President of the Massachusetts Software and Internet Council. “Microsoft joins many other national IT companies that have established a significant presence in the dot.commonwealth.”
Waltham Location First In Eastern U.S.
In addition to the Waltham location, Microsoft will be launching a similar facility in Austin, Texas during 2000. Microsoft’s Silicon Valley Developer Center has been operating since 1998 in Palo Alto, Ca., and will be moving to Microsoft’s new Mountain View campus this spring. Additional venues in the United States as well as International locations are currently being evaluated.
“Microsoft is committed to supporting cutting-edge companies who are using Microsoft’s platform as their core technologies,”
continued Boit.
“These centers will allow us to work with customers and partners in some of the world’s top eBusiness locations.”
Business Internet Solutions Center Sponsors
Compaq Computer Corporation has provided the hardware environment as the preferred hardware provider for the Microsoft Business Internet Solutions Center. This server-based environment consists of a variety of Compaq Prolinea, Prosignia and Deskpro configurations for use in developing, testing and clustering computing scenarios.
“This partnership is evidence of Compaq and Microsoft’s long standing technology relationship,”
said Navin Mehta, Vice President, eCommerce Professional Services at Compaq.
“This new facility provides a unique environment for companies to develop on world-class, cutting edge hardware and software environments. Compaq’s involvement in the Business Internet Solutions Center will allow customers to continue to turn ideas into realities, and realities into efficiencies.”
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.
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Michael Werner, Microsoft Corporation, 781-522-7921, e-mail: [email protected]
