D&B Software and Microsoft Sign Agreement Encompassing SmartStream, Windows
NT, SQL Server for Windows NT and Microsoft Access 

Microsoft to Beta Test SmartStream Products

REDMOND, Wash.--April 27, 1993--Dun & Bradstreet Software and Microsoft
Corporation announced today that they are expanding their relationship to
deliver client-server business solutions. The two companies will work
together to bring enterprise-wide SmartStream applications for the
Microsoft Windows NT (New Technology) operating system and Microsoft SQL
Server for Windows NT to market. In addition, Microsoft will beta test D&B
Software's SmartStream products, and D&B Software will resell the
Microsoft Access database management system (DBMS).

"Our relationship with D&B Software will provide customers with the
enterprise-wide solutions they have been asking for," said Bill Gates, CEO
and chairman of Microsoft Corporation. "The combination of D&B Software's
SmartStream products with Windows NT meets users' requirements to bring
together applications for transaction processing and decision support on
powerful and reliable computer systems. By building Microsoft Access into
its solution, D&B Software and its customers can use a ground-breaking
desktop database tool to minimize development time and provide maximum
flexibility to end users."

D&B Software CEO Hank Holland said, "These agreements are clear examples of
the expanding business relationship we are forming with Microsoft.
SmartStream, Windows NT and Microsoft Access-based products will give
global companies powerful client-server solutions to enhance performance
and run their businesses more competitively."

The two companies have announced an agreement under which Microsoft will
provide technology and design input in order to assist D&B Software in
bringing forth a full suite of SmartStream client-server applications
fully exploiting Windows NT and SQL Server for Windows NT. These
enterprise-wide products will include D&B Software's SmartStream Decision
Support system as well as Financial Stream, HR Stream, Distribution Stream
and Manufacturing Stream applications.

Microsoft has licensed an early release of the Windows NT version of D&B
Software's SmartStream products and will begin beta testing for possible
worldwide internal use later this

"D&B Software's SmartStream has all of the key features that Microsoft
looks for in order to migrate our mission-critical business applications
to a client-server architecture," said Neil Evans, CIO of Microsoft.
"These features include global functionality to support doing business in
more than 40 countries, scalability to support the smallest to the largest
sales units and flexibility based on workflow processing with electronic
mail distribution capability. I'm sure that other Fortune Global 1000
companies will find it a valuable solution as well."

D&B Software to Resell Microsoft Access

In a related action, the two companies have agreed that D&B Software will
resell Microsoft Access as a query and reporting tool embedded in its
SmartStream products, beginning with the upcoming releases of Decision
Support 2.0 and Financial Stream. D&B Software is building upon the
powerful Microsoft Access query engine, flexible Access Basic development
language and the user-friendly Wizard technology to bring complex queries
and reports closer to the end user. By addressing sophisticated reporting
and query problems that historically required MIS involvement, D&B
Software is empowering end users to satisfy even their most complex
information needs without having to recreate any data.

D&B Software's Executive Vice President Mike Choukas said, "Although used
primarily as a database tool, D&B Software has found Microsoft Access to
be the best combination reporting and query product with customization
capabilities for commercial enterprise needs. And the scalability and
powerful built-in networking, security and reliability features of Windows
NT make it a natural selection as a corporate-wide server operating
system."

More on D&B Software and Microsoft Products

SmartStream is an open and scalable application environment that provides
the platform for business process driven, integrated, on-line transaction
processing and decision support applications. SmartStream offers users a
single source of access to information located in a variety of corporate
databases. Its distributed, flexible and customizable message-based
workflow empowers users, enhances business productivity and streamlines
decision support. SmartStream supports distributed transactions and
information access, agent-driven process customization and electronic mail
distribution capabilities.

SmartStream Decision Support products currently run under the Microsoft
Windows operating system on the desktop, with the Microsoft and SYBASE SQL
Server database running on Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX, Data General's DG/UX,
IBM's OS/2 and Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX-based Open VMS)
operating systems.

Windows NT is a powerful, reliable and open operating system platform,
ready for the demands of client-server computing and the advancing power
of personal computers in the 1990s and beyond. Incorporating the benefits
of the family of Windows operating systems--ease of use, application
integration and choice of leading applications--the Windows NT operating
system platform extends these benefits in a powerful platform for
client-server computing. Microsoft SQL Server is the leading relational
DBMS for network-based client-server applications, with hundreds of
front-end tools and applications available to help developers get new
applications up and running.

Designed to empower interactive users and developers alike, Microsoft
Access addresses a wide range of skill levels. Its programmability gives
developers the flexibility to build sophisticated applications, while at
the same time, end users can take advantage of the visual tools,
interactive learning tools and Wizard task automation.

D&B Software is the largest company of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation's
$533 million Software Services segment, with over 10,000 customers in more
than 60 countries. The company develops, markets and supports products and
services for three key technologies that have emerged as priorities for
the company's customer base. These are fully distributed client-server
transaction processing applications for financial, human resource,
distribution and manufacturing areas; rightsizing applications, such as
the company's UNIX(9, DEC VAX and PC LAN products; and IBM host-based
applications for general business needs.

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.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399
206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX

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