Microsoft and SAP Forge Strategy

Joint Technological Cooperation Expanded to Marketing and Development

MUNICH, Germany--April 30, 1993--Microsoft Corporation and SAP AG, one of
the world' s largest software vendors and parent company of SAP America,
Inc., forged a worldwide cooperative agreement at a press conference
today. The agreement expands the existing relationships based on SAP's
announcement last week to port its client-server-based R/3 System of
applications software to the Microsoft Windows NT (New Technology)
operating system. The R/3 System has been available since July 1992 and
has more than 250 customers worldwide.

The worldwide agreement elevates the joint technological cooperation to the
next level, promoting further cooperation between the two companies in
areas of marketing and development. With this agreement, SAP and Microsoft
have laid the foundation for a far-reaching cooperation that combines the
specific technological expertise and experience of both companies.

"Our interest in the Microsoft NT operating system extends beyond the
Windows front-end to include the full range of our comprehensive
three-level client-server architecture," said Dr. Hasso Plattner, vice
chairman of the SAP AG executive board. "SAP' s client-server architecture
is flexible and open, allowing us to incorporate innovative technologies
into the R/3 System. We plan to synchronize our development efforts with
Microsoft to maximize Microsoft's productivity tools. Together, we will
provide customers with more efficient exchange of data and higher quality
information management between enterprise systems and end-user tools."

"We are pleased that SAP, as one of the world's most successful suppliers
of standard software, is supporting Microsoft's client-server operating
system--Windows NT. We are convinced that many companies will be motivated
by SAP's commitment to consider Windows NT as a viable option," said Bill
Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. "With the additional platform of
Windows NT for R/3 we will be able to offer our common customers more
efficiency, scalability, application integration and user-friendliness."

The agreement between SAP and Microsoft includes:

* Porting of SAP's R/3 System to the Microsoft Windows NT platform and
Microsoft SQL Server for Windows NT. SAP plans to port R/3's full range of
integrated, enterprise-wide business applications, including financial and
cost accounting; manufacturing and sales distribution; and human resource
planning. 

* Developing coordinated marketing activities for the R/3 System on Windows
NT.

* Exchanging technology and industry expertise and experience to improve
the development of system architecture and products in the client/server
environment.

"SAP is a very technically sophisticated developer of integrated,
enterprise-wide business applications," said Paul Maritz senior vice
president of the systems division at Microsoft. "Working with SAP on an
enterprise-wide computing architecture has the potential to bring to
Microsoft's operating system platform what corporations of all sizes need:
high performance and easily customized business solutions in a distributed
computing environment.

Porting SAP's R/3 System to Microsoft Windows NT

The first R/3 products for Windows NT will be presented by SAP at the next
CeBIT tradeshow in Hannover in March 1994, and released later that year.
SAP's decision to port its client-server-based R/3 System to the Microsoft
Windows NT operating system emphasizes SAP's commitment to open systems
and their pledge to provide its customers with the flexibility and freedom
to choose their hardware and operating platforms.

Embedding Microsoft Windows NT and database products into SAP's three-level
client-server architecture will increase the possible applications for the
R/3 System. With this option of using the R/3 System on Windows NT, SAP
can target its software to companies with as few as 250 employees and 16
computer workstations. Since the majority of workstations currently
running the R/3 System also run the Microsoft Windows operating system and
Microsoft applications, customers can make the best use of their
investment.

Further Cooperation in Marketing

The agreement expands SAP and Microsoft's relationship to include
cooperation in the areas of marketing and promotion. These marketing
efforts will include joint seminars and promotional activities for all
collaboration efforts. However, SAP and Microsoft will continue to offer
their products independently.

Information Exchange

The cooperation with Microsoft includes the integration of Microsoft
productivity tools such as Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Access
database. The goal of the collaboration is to maximize the communication
of the R/3 System and Microsoft's applications in an open system
environment. To facilitate this, Microsoft will support SAP with technical
information and knowhow during the implementation of R/3 on Windows NT.

In addition, SAP and Microsoft are planning joint development projects
designed to drive the development of system architectures and products in
the client-server environment. Experts from both companies will work
closely to exchange knowledge and expertise in specific technological
areas.

Since its foundation over 20 years ago, SAP has expanded to become the
largest independent software house in Germany. The company which is based
in Walldorf Inear Heidelberg), now employs a workforce of over 3,300 and
has more than 28 subsidiaries worldwide. SAP America, its largest
subsidiary, is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. With its standard
software systems, R/2 for mainframes, R/3 for client/server platforms and
SC/400 for AS/400 users, SAP serves over 26,000 customers in 35 different
countries.

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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