PARIS, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today
announced its strategy to integrate support for the euro currency symbol in
the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating systems family, including Windows 95,
Windows 98, Windows NT(R) 4.0, Windows NT 5.0 and Windows CE 2.1. Microsoft
said it plans to make product updates available that will enable Windows 95
and Windows NT 4.0 to support the new currency symbol. The company also said
Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0 will support the euro from their market
availability dates.
In addition, Microsoft's Office products will offer euro character
support. Users with an operating system that supports the euro currency
symbol, updated printer fonts, a printer that supports the euro symbol through
downloadable fonts, and an updated version of Office should be able to work
using the symbol for the single European currency.
"Europe stands on the eve of a historic step toward fuller economic
integration, a process that offers ample opportunities for European business,"
said Michel Lacombe, president of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa
(Microsoft EMEA). "As a provider of mission-critical software systems for
business, Microsoft is serious about providing its customers with the tools
they need for their systems to function smoothly with the new single
currency."
Microsoft's Operating Systems and the Euro Currency Symbol
Given the widespread use of Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft
expects to provide Beta 1 of the Windows 95 euro product update and the final
Windows NT 4.0 euro product update free on its Web site in the next few weeks
(connect-time charges may apply).
The Windows CE operating system, designed as a platform for a broad range
of intelligent digital devices, will support the euro currency symbol for
version 2.1 and beyond. Third-party solutions are available today that
support the euro symbol on earlier versions of handheld PCs running on the
Windows CE operating system.
Microsoft Windows 98, scheduled for release on June 25, and Windows NT 5.0
have both been developed from the outset to support the euro currency symbol.
Both systems will have all the necessary fonts and built-in drivers to utilize
the common currency, provided that the user's peripherals (e.g., printers)
were designed to work with the euro. Printer fonts that will support the euro
symbol include Times New Roman, Arial and Courier New. Microsoft's
natural-language support tables also will be updated to utilize the euro.
Microsoft plans no product updates for any Windows versions before
Windows 95 (Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups 3.x and prior versions) or for
any versions of the MS-DOS(R) operating system. Third-party solutions are now
available to support the euro symbol on previous versions of Windows 3.x.
Specific information about Microsoft applications and the euro is
available on Microsoft's Web site at
http://www.microsoft.com/msoffice/office/euro/euro1.asp.
Microsoft's Strategy for Conducting Business in the New Currency
Also today, Microsoft unveiled details of the company's plans to
conduct its business with the euro. The plans essentially adhere to the
official European Union calendar for adoption of the single currency.
-- On Jan. 2, 1999, Microsoft will adopt dual accounting and accept
billing from vendors in euros. Price lists will be available in euros
at this time as well.
-- On July 1, 1999, at the start of its fiscal year, Microsoft will begin
invoicing in euros to distributors and customers in the 11 countries
using the currency. However, it will continue invoicing in local
currencies in other countries. Microsoft will offer euro billing even
for non-Eurozone countries.
-- On July 1, 2001, Microsoft EMEA expects to move all internal accounting
to euros. Microsoft is waiting for the participating governments to
clarify their statutory reporting and payment requirements, which will
determine the company's final switchover to the euro for internal
accounting, including general ledger.
"Microsoft, like any other European company, has much to do to get ready
for the euro," Lacombe said. "We plan to have everything in place to make a
smooth transition to the single currency. We recognize the need to help our
customers and partners, not only through our products, but also by increasing
general awareness of the impact of the euro."
For more information about Microsoft and the euro, the company is
launching a Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/euro/.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products
and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier for people to take advantage of the full power of personal
computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT and MS-DOS are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass
CONTACT:
Tiffany Steckler of Microsoft EMEA
headquarters, 331-46-35-10-02; or Ellen Barry of
Fleishman-Hillard, in Paris, 331-44-54-61-50, for Microsoft
NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional
information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at
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