REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 28, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the retail availability of Microsoft® BackOffice® Server 2000, an enhanced suite of server software designed to make it easier and less expensive for branch offices, departments and medium-sized businesses to build, deploy and maintain their information technology (IT) backbone.
BackOffice Server 2000 offers medium-sized organizations a wealth of new tools to maximize the benefits of the Windows® 2000 operating system and the latest standard versions of Microsoft server products including Exchange 2000 Server and Microsoft SQL Server™
2000.
Build Flexible Solutions
The wide range of enhancements to BackOffice Server 2000 will create new business opportunities for the thousands of independent software developers that build solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. For example, Purple Solutions Inc. (www.purpleinc.com), a solution development company that builds intelligent customer relationship management (CRM) solutions on top of the BackOffice Server suite, took advantage of increased scalability and flexibility to extend its solution to customers with high-volume requirements. PurpleCRM 1.7 is a sales force automation tool that utilizes BackOffice Server components including Exchange 2000 Server and SQL Server 2000, providing mid-size businesses with the same powerful customer management software that larger organizations have.
“BackOffice Server 2000 opens the door for medium-sized organizations to deploy Microsoft Servers that enable business agility,”
said Terry Benish, president and chief executive officer of Purple.
“PurpleCRM’s use of BackOffice Server 2000 provides the tools companies need to compete with much larger firms and provides them the flexibility to grow along with the business.”
New Features
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BackOffice Server 2000 includes the latest versions of standard editions of Windows 2000 Server, Exchange 2000 Server, SQL Server 2000, Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Systems Management Server 2.0 and Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000.
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The MultiServer deployment option enhances IT flexibility by facilitating deployment of all or a portion of the suite of software products on as many as three separate servers*.
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Turnkey setup of Windows 2000 Server, the Active Directory™
service, and Exchange 2000 Server simplifies deployment. -
The Internet Connection Wizard provides a simple method for configuring firewalls and setting connectivity permissions.
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Windows Terminal Server administration manages the suite remotely via a Web client or direct-dial remote access services connection.
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Shared fax and modem services are included, along with tools to configure and prioritize calling times.
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Health Monitor 2.1 provides automated monitoring of the suite, with customizable alerts and notifications.
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Bayesian Troubleshooters provide
“smart”
analysis of system problems and guide fixes.
MultiServer is the heart of the increased scalability and flexibility of BackOffice Server 2000. Businesses can now minimize the complexity and increase the reliability of their BackOffice Server system by installing only the components of the suite they need. As needs change, additional software components can be added or traded out. The entire suite or portions of it can also be installed on as many as three separate servers*.
“Before we built BackOffice Server 2000, we took a step back and listened to our customers — and it shows in the final product,”
said Tracie Edwards, lead product manager for BackOffice Server.
“This suite offers improved flexibility and powerful management tools — exactly what the businesses that use this type of suite are crying out for to keep pace with changing business environments.”
In addition to offering new features, BackOffice Server 2000 provides other upgrades, including customizable server monitoring and reporting, and enhancements to the Microsoft Management Console. New, built-in wizards help manage user accounts, e-mail distribution lists and Active Directory service queries, and better regulate access to functions based on security levels. To simplify and consolidate administration of the suite, the Microsoft Management Console and Health Monitor 2.1 are fully integrated into the server suite regardless of deployment configuration.
Pricing and Availability
The BackOffice Server 2000 integrated server suite is only about half the estimated retail price of the individual server components when acquired separately. BackOffice Server 2000 with five client access licenses is available from retail outlets, technology providers and consultants for an estimated retail price of $3,999 (U.S.)**. Additional information on BackOffice Server can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/backofficeserver/ .
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.
*Additional Windows 2000 licenses are required for the additional servers.
**Actual retail prices may vary.
Microsoft, BackOffice, Windows and Active Directory are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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