REDMOND, Wash., and IRVINE, Calif., March 17, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. and Quest Software Inc., a leading provider of application, database and Windows®-based management solutions, today announced they have reached a milestone by successfully migrating more than 1.5 million Novell NetWare users to Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003. The companies also have jointly upgraded millions of Windows NT® 4.0 users to Windows Server 2003, and more than 5 million Exchange Server 5.5 users to Exchange Server 2000 and Exchange Server 2003. Following on the success of the NetWare migration program unveiled in November 2004, Microsoft and Quest today also announced a new agreement allowing enterprise customers with more than 1,000 seats to license Quest GroupWise Migrator with a 20 percent discount off the list price. Microsoft also announced the availability of enhanced migration tool support for customers considering migration from Novell GroupWise to Exchange Server 2003.
Native Support in Exchange Server 2003 for Novell GroupWise Migration
Exchange Server 2003 now will natively support migration tools for Novell GroupWise 6.5.x. Previously, only Novell GroupWise 5.x and Novell GroupWise 4.1x versions were supported. The tools enable coexistence between GroupWise and Exchange Server 2003 networks, providing the interoperability required for the effective migration of users in phases.
“Microsoft is working closely with vendor partners like Quest to create a straightforward plan for customers migrating their networks to the Windows platform,” said Martin Taylor, general manager of Platform Strategy at Microsoft. “By reducing the cost and complexity of the migration process, our aim is to make it as simple as possible for customers to take advantage of Microsoft’s reliable server platform and road map.”
NetWare Migration Promotion
The NetWare migration promotion program, launched in November 2004, provides a combination of tools, prescriptive guidance, training and technical support for customers considering migrating from Novell NetWare to Microsoft Windows Server 2003. As part of the promotion, Microsoft offers an online training voucher and unlimited technical support (via newsgroups) at no cost for qualifying NetWare users considering migration to the Windows Server platform.* In addition, qualifying NetWare customers in the United States that decide to migrate to Windows Server 2003 can take advantage of a $600 (U.S.) partner services subsidy for each Windows Server 2003 license purchased with 50 client access licenses (up to a maximum of 25 subsidies per customer, a $15,000 value) through the U.S. Mid-Market NetWare Migration Promotion.** For enterprise customers, Quest Software is offering a discount of 20 percent off the list price of its NDS Migrator and GroupWise Migrator products.
Microsoft also is providing a number of offerings for customers worldwide that are either considering or actively pursuing a migration from NetWare to Microsoft Windows Server 2003. These offers include discounts on migration software from Microsoft and Quest, solution accelerators that provide step-by-step migration guidance, unlimited technical support (via newsgroups), and training programs that help customers simplify and accelerate the migration process, further enhancing the many benefits of taking advantage of the Microsoft Windows Server platform.
“We’re pleased with the progress we have made with Microsoft in helping our mutual customers successfully accomplish their Windows migrations,” said Andrew Fraser, director of Alliance and Partner Development at Quest Software. “Our migration software, combined with Microsoft’s Windows Services for NetWare migration offerings, enables our customers to migrate from NetWare to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and from GroupWise to Microsoft Exchange more easily and cost-effectively than ever before.”
“Microsoft and Quest have made it really attractive for customers who are interested in enjoying the benefits of the Windows Server platform to make their move,” said David Holmes, Windows project manager for Fujitsu Services. “We have successfully migrated a major government agency in the U.K. in very challenging time scales and with very little impact on the user base. The support provided by Quest throughout the project was fundamental to our success.”
Microsoft provides customers and industry partners with a proven, value-based integrated and innovative platform for deploying both Microsoft and third-party business-critical applications, while simplifying and optimizing IT infrastructure so customers can do more with less.
“NetWare users have arrived at the proverbial fork in the road as they prepare to upgrade their legacy NetWare networks. The Yankee Group conducted an independent survey of 100 Novell customers and found that eight out of 10 businesses will migrate from NetWare to Microsoft Windows during the 2005–2006 time frame,” said Laura DiDio, senior analyst at Yankee Group. “And of the remaining 20 percent, nearly 70 percent indicated they would choose Red Hat Enterprise Linux.”
For more information on the NetWare and GroupWise Migration Promotions and the benefits of migrating to the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 platform can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/migrate/novell/default.mspx.
About Quest Windows Management
Quest Software, Microsoft’s 2004 Global Independent Software Vendor Partner of the Year, provides solutions that simplify, automate and secure Active Directory®, Exchange and Windows environments. The Quest Windows Management group delivers comprehensive capabilities for secure Windows management and migration. More information about Quest Software’s Windows Management group can be found at http://www.quest.com/microsoft.
About Quest Software
Quest Software Inc. delivers innovative products that help organizations get more performance and productivity from their applications, databases and infrastructure. Through a deep expertise in IT operations and a continued focus on what works best, Quest helps more than 18,000 customers worldwide meet higher expectations for enterprise IT. Quest Software, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., can be found in offices around the globe and at http://www.quest.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
* This offer is good in the United States only until May 1, 2005, or while supplies last. There is a limit of one training voucher per customer. The offer is good only to first-party recipients of mail from Microsoft inviting them to take part in the promotion. This offer is nontransferable. See https://www.microsoftincentives.com/netware for offer details.
** This offer is good for purchases made by qualifying organizations after Oct. 25, 2004, and until the sooner of May 1, 2005, or for the first 1,000 redemptions made by qualifying organizations. Limit 25 redemptions per qualifying organization. Please check https://www.microsoftincentives.com/netware/terms.aspx for full terms and conditions, qualifying purchases, and availability of the offer.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows Server, Windows NT and Active Directory are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Quest and Quest Software are registered trademarks of Quest Software Inc. The Quest Software logo and all other Quest Software product or service names and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quest Software, Inc.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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