MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 6.5 BETA BUILDS ON SUCCESS

Upgrade Eases Application Development, System Management and Internet
Integration

REDMOND, WASH. - FEB. 13, 1996 - Microsoft Corp. today confirmed that the
beta release of its relational database management system, Microsoft SQL
Server version 6.5, adds new features that significantly improve
throughput, scalability and ease-of-use, once again raising the bar on
distributed client-server computing.

The 6.5 upgrade builds on the record-setting performance that earned
Microsoft SQL Server version 6.0 the enterprise client-server database
Product of the Year Award (InfoWorld) and 11 Best of Class awards from
other publications.

Although Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 did not officially enter beta testing
until January, early beta code was instrumental in setting TPC-C benchmark
records for the Windows NT platform in December (3194 tpmC and
$196/tpmC).

"In addition to enhancing performance, we've made it easier than ever for
our customers to publish and subscribe to information anywhere, at any
time, including on the Internet," said Gary Voth, group product manager
for Microsoft. "Whether customers are building bigger systems, setting up
Internet and intranet infrastructures, or creating data warehouses,
Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 is the powerful, scalable, affordable solution
that allows them to do it on industry- standard hardware."

NEW FEATURES FOR BUILDING AND ADMINISTERING DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 features a number of technology and programming
enhancements that give developers the flexibility to write open, scalable
applications that won't lock them into proprietary solutions. Database
administrators will appreciate the increased functionality and simplicity
of the administrative tools. The following new features and capabilities
are included in Microsoft SQL Server 6.5:

 Distributed transaction coordinator (DTC) guarantees transaction
 integrity across multiple Microsoft SQL Server systems (transparent
 two-phase commit).

 Heterogeneous replication to ODBC clients makes it easier to exchange
 data with other databases across the enterprise, including IBMR
 DB2R, OracleR, SybaseR and Microsoft Access.

 Web Assistant automatically delivers Microsoft SQL Server data,
 formatted in hypertext markup language (HTML), to a World Wide
 Web server.

 DBA Assistant automates routine maintenance tasks such as data
 backup, consistency checks and statistic updates, with an
 easy-to-use graphical user interface.

 Enhancements for data warehousing make it easier to build rich
 analysis solutions through new online analytical processing (OLAP)
 query extensions such as CUBE and ROLLUP, as well as improved
 support for materialized views and very large databases (VLDBs).

 Compliance with industry standards (ANSI SQL-92, FIPS 127-2, XA
 and SNMP MIB) assures customers that Microsoft SQL Server meets
government
 and industry requirements for openness and interoperability.

"Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 gives us the tools to deliver the rich,
full-featured applications our customers have come to expect," said Jeff
Kyser, senior systems architect of Stanford Business Systems, a division
of Kurt Salmon Associates. "We're already seeing how DTC and Internet
integration can help us deliver a new class of distributed business
applications to our customers." Stanford Business Systems is an authorized
Microsoft Solution Provider.

INTERNET INTEGRATION PROVIDES EASY, INEXPENSIVE ON-RAMP TO THE WEB

Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 was designed with the Internet in mind. Combined
with the Internet Database Connector built into Microsoft Internet
Information Server, Microsoft SQL Server's Web Assistant makes it easy to
create interactive, database- driven Web sites with automated information
content. Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 generates HTML files based on
Transact-SQL queries, stored procedures, or extended stored procedures.
The result might be an up-to-the-minute price list distributed on a public
Web page, or a scheduled management report distributed on an internal
intranet.

The Microsoft SQL Server Internet Connector, also announced this week,
offers a cost-effective flat-fee license that allows unlimited Web-based
access to Microsoft SQL Server.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 is scheduled to be available in the second quarter
of 1996; pricing and packaging have yet to be determined.

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 and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on
Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft home page at
http://www.microsoft.com/corpinfo. To receive Microsoft press releases by
fax, please call (800) 859-5915 in the United States or (201) 333-0314
internationally.
 
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