Groove Networks to Work With General Dynamics Unit to Deliver Advanced Government Collaboration Solutions

BEVERLY, Mass. July 13, 2005 — Groove Networks, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., today announced that General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), will be an integrator and value-added reseller for Groove Virtual Office.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems will use the software’s cross-agency communication and information-sharing capabilities to enhance its enterprisewide solution offerings for the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the intelligence community.

A Collaborative Relationship

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and Groove Networks have collaborated on several government initiatives within the DoD, intelligence and homeland security sectors. Customer collaboration initiatives include the Joint Forces Command and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Recently, the two companies worked together on the Cyber Counterterrorism Investigations Training Program run by the DHS’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). The program helps federal law enforcement officials better understand terrorist groups’ Internet presence.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems also uses Groove Virtual Office software to streamline some of its internal business workflow processes.

“General Dynamics has a great track record for delivering advanced collaboration solutions for government agencies,” said David Scult, general manager of Groove Networks. “Having General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems as a value-added reseller and service provider is a significant component of our strategy to expand our ability to meet the secure collaboration and information-sharing needs of government agencies.”

Government Use of Groove Virtual Office

Government and nongovernmental organizations alike deploy Groove for interagency and interorganizational collaboration, information-sharing, project management and decision-making, particularly in austere and highly variable communications environments. For example, the U.S. State Department used Groove to coordinate the establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses Groove as part of its common operating environment that promotes the sharing of knowledge and expertise among the organization’s divisions, and with its partners. And the National Science Foundation uses Groove to improve collaboration, coordination and decision-making among its internal committees, working groups and communities of practice.

About General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a leading provider of transformational mission solutions in command, control, communications, and computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Customers include those in the defense, intelligence, homeland security and homeland defense communities. More information is available on the Internet at www.gd-ais.com.

About Groove Networks

A subsidiary of Microsoft located in Beverly, Mass., Groove Networks delivers the “virtual office” through software that allows teams of people to work together over a network as if they were in the same location. Groove software helps organizations large and small save money and time, and eliminate travel, by offering both a desktop application for instant joint work and a set of customizable, open collaboration capabilities that enhance the utility and value of existing solutions. A 60-day free trial edition of Groove Virtual Office is available at http://www.groove.net/downloads/groove.

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.

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. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr..

Related Posts