REDMOND, Wash., and COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 6, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. and GoldMine Software Corp. today announced a comprehensive business alliance that includes an agreement to embed Microsoft® SQL Server TM 7.0 as the standard database available for the recently introduced GoldMine® FrontOffice 2000 TM Customer Relationship Management (CRM) suite. GoldMine will ship its new flagship product prepackaged with the award-winning SQL Server 7.0 as the first complete CRM solution for the small to medium-size business (SMB) industry.
“We’re pleased that GoldMine has chosen SQL Server 7.0 as the database of choice for FrontOffice 2000,”
said Steve Ballmer, president and CEO of Microsoft.
“GoldMine is a strategic partner for Microsoft, and our expanded alliance brings tremendous value to SMB customers by offering a powerful CRM solution that will enable them to manage their customer relationships in an easily deployable and cost-effective way.”
GoldMine FrontOffice 2000 users can easily deploy a complete CRM solution with pre-engineered SQL Server optimization and single-step installation. GoldMine FrontOffice 2000 users, either first-time users or those upgrading from existing GoldMine 4.0 products, will pay significantly less than if they were to acquire the GoldMine and SQL Server applications separately. In addition, current customers of GoldMine 4.0 and HEAT® , GoldMine’s award-winning help desk application, that wish to upgrade to FrontOffice 2000 will benefit from a comprehensive migration plan designed for a smooth implementation.
The licensing agreement is backed by global development and technical support from both companies that will enable existing and new GoldMine customers to quickly deploy a CRM solution. Microsoft and GoldMine have also signed a comprehensive worldwide marketing and channel readiness agreement targeted at value-added providers and end users. The campaign will empower GoldMine’s partner channels to successfully deploy and implement FrontOffice 2000 by offering technical and sales training as well as marketing support.
“As GoldMine continues to expand its leadership in the CRM space with comprehensive, customizable and affordable solutions that can be easily and quickly deployed into any growing businesses, SQL Server 7.0 provides the perfect database platform for our customer segment,”
said Dana Buys, chairman of GoldMine.
“SQL Server 7.0 offers the scalability, reliability, and price and performance that SMB customers need to compete and win against their rivals in the most challenging of business environments. Plus, this focus on SQL Server complements the GoldMine Internet product strategy, which is built on Windows® 2000 technology.”
Organizations that standardize on GoldMine FrontOffice 2000 and SQL Server 7.0 will benefit from the continuing work to enhance and provide seamless integration between GoldMine FrontOffice 2000 applications and the Microsoft BackOffice® family of products, including the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system. Further, users of GoldMine’s HEAT will be able to acquire a version of that product later this year with SQL Server 7.0 embedded.
Pricing and Availability
GoldMine began shipping its full suite of front office applications packaged with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 on Dec. 30, 1999. GoldMine FrontOffice 2000 Server will be priced at $995, with GoldMine Sales and Marketing TM licenses starting at $495 and GoldMine Service and Support TM licenses starting at $995 per user. Current GoldMine 4.0 users have an advantageous upgrade path to convert their users to GoldMine FrontOffice 2000 Sales and Marketing licenses and can now add Service and Support users to their implementation through a qualified GoldMine Solutions Partner.
About GoldMine
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., GoldMine is a leading, worldwide developer of software solutions for customer relationship management and a global supplier of infrastructure resource management solutions for small to medium-size businesses. GoldMine has been implemented by more than 700,000 users in 100,000 companies worldwide with the assistance of more than 2,000 value-added resellers. Information on GoldMine FrontOffice 2000, HEAT 5.01 or GoldMine 5.0 is available at (800) 654-3526 or http://www.goldmine.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows and BackOffice are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
GoldMine, GoldSync and HEAT are registered trademarks of GoldMine Software Corp. in the U.S. and/or other countries. GoldMine FrontOffice 2000,GoldMine Sales and Marketing, GoldMine Service and Support and HEATWeb are trademarks of GoldMine Software Corp.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Offers and/or prices valid in the United States only and may not be available in other countries.
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.
