REDMOND, Wash., and SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 15, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. and Carta Inc. today announced that they have formed an alliance to provide solutions for the growing national e-government market. The companies will produce an advanced software and services solution for governments, powered by the Microsoft® Windows® DNA 2000 platform and expanding on Carta’s nationally recognized family of e-government solutions.
Together, Microsoft and Carta will make it possible for all levels of government to operate more efficiently by moving some of their services online, allowing them to develop easy-to-navigate Web portals that give businesses and citizens access to government information, services and transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Under the new agreement, Carta and Microsoft will join forces in such key areas as marketing and business development and jointly develop innovative solutions for the
e-government market based on input from government clients.
“This collaboration will give governments the core technology they need to provide online services while integrating seamlessly with existing systems,”
said Charles Stevens, vice president of the Enterprise Partner Group at Microsoft.
“By leveraging the performance and cost-effectiveness of Microsoft technology and Carta’s deep understanding of e-government solutions, any government can use the Internet to improve its efficiency and flow of information.”
The two companies will continue to work closely with governments to deliver Web-based solutions that leverage the increased interoperability and the time to market delivered through the Microsoft Windows DNA 2000 platform.
“While this alliance provides advantages for both companies, the real benefits will be seen by governments and citizens, who are anxious to realize the full benefits of the Internet,”
said Chris Roberts, the president and CEO of Carta, a Sacramento-based e-government solutions company.
“Microsoft and Carta make an excellent team.”
Today’s announcement represents a natural extension of a relationship between the two companies dating back to 1996. Since that time, Carta has successfully combined its comprehensive approach, which integrates its expertise in strategy, design and technology, with the Windows DNA platform for the benefit of government and citizens. This collaboration has also resulted in the ability of state and local governments to deploy sophisticated Web sites quickly and easily.
“This agreement between Carta and Microsoft will help us build on our track record of excellence,”
Roberts said.
“In the very near future, governments can expect to see an array of innovative e-government solutions designed to help them take advantage of the Internet.”
About Carta
Founded in 1996, Carta Inc. is an industry leader and award-winning e-government solutions company. Carta offers a comprehensive approach to e-government, which integrates strategy, design and technology. The company’s work has received praise from the highest levels of government and within the technology industry. Carta was an integral part of a team that developed the Smart Permitting Program for Silicon Valley municipalities.
Carta is a privately held company headquartered in Sacramento, Calif. It currently employs an in-house team of more than 120 highly skilled creative, strategic and engineering professionals who are all tied together by a project management team. The company is rolling out its services nationally and will provide e-government solutions for governments throughout the United States by December 2000.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies 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.
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