Hundreds of Thousands of Customers Worldwide to Benefit From Enhanced Support
And Capabilities Enabled Through Access to Microsoft Source Code
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced a significant expansion of its
Shared Source Initiative, the company's commitment to enabling source code
access for customers, partners and educators, by making enterprise systems
integrators (SIs) eligible to receive access to Microsoft(R) Windows(R) source
code. The Systems Integrator Source Licensing Program (SISLP) enables systems
integrators to use Microsoft Windows source code to provide customers with
Windows operating system-based solutions that are relevant, reliable and
secure.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
The source code access will enable participating SIs to base services on a
more in-depth knowledge of the Windows platform, deliver deep security
analysis and privacy verification, more rapidly troubleshoot customer issues,
and offer performance tuning for custom applications running on Windows. The
SISLP will be available initially to approximately 150 SIs worldwide in more
than 30 countries at no additional fee. Gold Support Services Certified
Partners or SIs with more than 1,500 seats of Windows with a Microsoft Premier
Support Agreement (level A or B) are eligible for the program, so participants
will eventually include a mix of traditional systems integrators that deliver
Windows-based solutions as well as those companies providing ongoing Windows
support services. Over the past year, these groups have responded to
approximately 1 million customer support calls from customers of Windows in
the United States alone and routinely service hundreds of thousands of
companies worldwide. This extension of the Shared Source Initiative will
enhance the ability of SIs to deliver mission-critical support for those calls
and establish more integrated infrastructure solutions to improve customers'
information technology environments.
"This program gives Compaq Global Services the ability to expand
significantly the depth of expertise we bring to our clients," said
Rick Fricchione, vice president, Enterprise Ready Microsoft, Compaq Global
Services. "We will be able to provide quicker time to resolution for our
support and systems integration services, as well as improve our capabilities
globally to offer a better experience and satisfaction for implementing
Windows-based technology mission-critical solutions."
"Avanade is pleased to be a launch partner in this unprecedented program,"
said Ashish Kumar, CTO of Avanade Inc., a systems integrator specializing in
delivering Microsoft enterprise solutions to Global 2,000 customers. "With
this increased access, our Windows-based solutions will be stronger and more
secure, and our ability to integrate those solutions into existing systems
means we can more readily provide customers with a truly connected, cohesive
computing environment."
"Empowering systems integrators with better knowledge of, and access to,
Windows source code will enable them to deliver higher-valued services to our
customers," said Craig Mundie, senior vice president, chief technical officer
of advanced strategies and policy at Microsoft. "By sharing our source code
responsibly with our partners, we are committing our most valuable
intellectual property to the belief that a vibrant and integrated software
ecosystem is critical to the future of our global economy and IT performance."
About the Shared Source Initiative
The Microsoft Shared Source Initiative is a balanced approach that makes
source code more broadly available while preserving the intellectual property
rights that sustain a strong software business. The Shared Source Initiative
framework supports a spectrum of programs and licenses offered by Microsoft to
various communities of customers, partners, developers, academicians and other
interested individuals.
Each source-licensing program under the Shared Source Initiative is
tailored to the specific needs of a particular Microsoft constituent
community, and can be applied as a model for increasing code transparency
throughout commercial software. Shared Source is an evolving framework that
will support additional source-code access programs and licenses involving
many Microsoft product groups. Currently, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows
.NET Server, Windows CE 3.0 and Windows CE .NET have source code available
through the Shared Source Initiative.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft 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.
NOTE: Microsoft and Windows 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.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
press only, Mark Martin, +1-503-443-7000, or
markm@wagged.com, or Rapid Response Team, +1-503-443-7070, or
rrt@wagged.com, both of Waggener Edstrom, for Microsoft Corp.
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.
Journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response
Team for additional assistance.
|
