Microsoft Ships Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 For New Generation of Distributed
Business Solutions

New Distributed Database Platform Achieves Immediate Customer Acceptance;
Momentum Grows as More Than 200 ISVs, VARs and Hardware Manufacturers
Announce Support

New York--June 20, 1995--Microsoft Corp. today announced it has shipped the
Microsoft SQL Server client-server database management system (DBMS)
version 6.0, with broad availability in retail channels expected during
the next two weeks. The shipment of the new distributed database platform
for the Microsoft Windows NT Server network operating system underscores
Microsoft's commitment to deliver scalable database technology that makes
it easier and less costly for organizations of all sizes to access and
manage strategic business information.

A key component of the Microsoft BackOffice integrated family of server
software, Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 is a scalable, high-performance DBMS
designed specifically for distributed client-server computing. Its
powerful distributed management tools, built-in data replication, and
open-system architecture provide a superior platform for delivering
cost-effective information solutions across a wide range of powerful
hardware platforms. Paul Maritz, group vice president of the platforms
group at Microsoft, is scheduled to highlight customer solutions based on
the Microsoft SQL Server platform in his keynote address at the PC/Expo
industry conference here this week.

"We are tremendously proud of the achievement in bringing Microsoft SQL
Server 6.0 to market firmly on schedule," said Maritz. "Microsoft SQL
Server 6.0 incorporates all-new technology to meet customer needs for a
new generation of distributed business solutions.

Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 gives customers a scalable database platform that
is extremely fast and powerful, yet remarkably easy to install, manage and
use."

New Capabilities for Distributed Business Computing

"We developed Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 specifically to address key trends
that are occurring in business-computing today," commented Gary Voth,
group product manager of the business systems division at Microsoft.
"Customers want to take advantage of today's rich network-computing
environments to distribute information when and where it is needed to help
align technology and business goals. Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 was designed
with these trends in mind."

New capabilities in Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 include the following:

* Reliable distributed data and transactions. Built-in data replication
provides a reliable way to distribute business information throughout an
enterprise to improve information access and reduce risk of downtime.

* Central control over distributed servers. A comprehensive OLE-based
management framework and rich graphical-administration interface (SQL
Enterprise Manager) allows control over hundreds of servers from a central
location.

* Increased performance and scalability. A new parallel database
architecture delivers dramatically improved transaction throughput, faster
query execution and support for much larger databases.

* Rich desktop integration. With native support for rich desktop
technologies included in Microsoft SQL Server 6.0, such as OLE, Open
Database Connectivity (ODBC) and mail-enabled queries, data access is
improved and end-user productivity can increase.

* Support for open interoperability and standards. Microsoft SQL Server 6.0
conforms with the ANSI SQL standard for application interoperability and
can be integrated smoothly with a wide range of enterprise applications
and data.

The new release of Microsoft SQL Server remains tightly integrated with
Microsoft Windows NT Server and the Microsoft BackOffice family of
products to improve ease of use and reduce complexity in the client-server
environment.

Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 Gains Immediate Customer Acceptance

Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 has emerged from one of the largest beta tests
ever in the database industry and is gaining immediate customer
acceptance. More than 3,000 sites have been using Microsoft SQL Server
extensively since beta testing began in October 1994. The testing has
focused on the reliability and high quality of the Microsoft SQL Server
6.0 feature set and the compatibility of Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 with
leading client-server business applications.

"Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 is a rich database management system which offers
significant benefits to Pennzoil," said Britt Mayo, director of
information technology at Pennzoil Co. "Its replication features and
support for decentralized administration will improve Pennzoil's ability
to access information across the enterprise while lowering the cost of
ownership. The new parallel database architecture of Microsoft SQL Server
6.0 provides excellent performance improvements. This release shows that
Microsoft is serious about competing in the mission-critical enterprise
database market."

Houston-based Pennzoil has a network of approximately 4,000 PCs and 100
servers located throughout 100 domestic and international sites, and it
also supports more than 1,000 Jiffy Lube retail outlets throughout the
United States. Pennzoil has nearly 40 distributed client/server solutions
in production based on the Microsoft BackOffice architecture. Pennzoil's
diverse array of applications include rail-car tracking, personnel and
sales-and-marketing systems, all of which use Microsoft SQL Server to
manage mission-critical information. Pennzoil's Microsoft SQL Server
databases range in size up to many gigabytes and serve a population of
more than 2,000 users. Pennzoil has been testing Microsoft SQL Server 6.0
to run a variety of mission-critical systems, including SAP R/3.

Other customers using Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 profiled in this week's
PC/Expo event include Blockbuster Entertainment, Financial Alliance Corp.,
the Los Angeles County Department of Corrections, United Airlines and
Viacom Radio.

More Than 200 Leading Companies Announce Support for Microsoft SQL Server
6.0

This week, more than 200 of the industry's leading independent
client-server software developers, solution providers and hardware
manufacturers announced support for Microsoft SQL Server 6.0, including
market leaders Dun & Bradstreet Software, Peoplesoft Inc. and Seer
Technologies, Inc. These companies join Computer Associates International
Inc., Great Plains Software Inc., Gupta Corp., Information Builders Inc.,
Platinum Software, Platinum Technology, Powersoft Corp. and SAP AG who
have announced support in recent weeks. Industry-leading server-hardware
vendors supporting Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 include AT&T, Compaq Computer
Corp., Digital Equipment Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and NEC Corp.

The depth of industry support helps to ensure continued momentum for
Microsoft SQL Server 6.0. Hundreds of next-generation client-server
solutions are based on the Microsoft database architecture, including
development tools, gateways and turnkey business solutions.

Rich Service and Support Infrastructure in Place

Microsoft, in combination with its worldwide network of more than 10,000
authorized Solution Providers, offers a comprehensive set of support and
service offerings to help customers who are moving to distributed
client-server computing with the Microsoft BackOffice family of products.
Customers of Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 can benefit immediately from the
following:

* Global, mission-critical support services available seven days
  a week, 24 hours a day, from Microsoft and Microsoft-authorized
  support centers
* Customized training from Microsoft Authorized Technical Education
  Centers
* Consulting and systems integration from Microsoft Consulting
  Services and Microsoft Solution Providers
* A comprehensive certification program for client-server application
  developers and support professionals
* A wealth of electronic technical information from sources such as
  Microsoft TechNet and the Microsoft Developer Network

Pricing and Licensing

Microsoft SQL Server 6.0-combines--in one product at one price--a complete
system of database components for distributed computing. These components
include the Microsoft SQL Server DBMS; SQL Enterprise Manager, for
centrally managing groups of servers on a network; SQL Executive, for
automating unattended remote operations such as backup and restore, data
migration and tuning; SQL-Distributed Management Objects (SQL-DMO), for
customizing database-administration tasks; Open Data Services, for
ensuring interoperability with a wide variety of external data sources;
and client software for connecting applications across major networks.

Despite the new functionality in Microsoft SQL Server 6.0, pricing remains
unchanged from the previous version. A server license is approximately
$999, and a client-access license is approximately $149, or approximately
$119 each in quantities of 20 or more.

Customers can upgrade from previous versions of Microsoft SQL Server by
purchasing a server upgrade license and the appropriate number of
client-access upgrade licenses. A server upgrade license is approximately
$499 and a client-access upgrade license is approximately $79 or
approximately $59 each in quantities of 20 or more. Maintenance pricing is
also available at approximately 15 percent of the estimated retail prices
of both server and client software per year.

Volume discounts are available through the Microsoft Open License and
Microsoft Select volume purchase programs.

In addition, customers who purchased Microsoft SQL Server for Windows NT or
upgraded from Microsoft SQL Server for OS/2 after March 15, 1995, qualify
for a low-cost upgrade to version 6.0; the minimal cost covers shipping
and handling.

Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 offers flexible licensing for cost-effective
deployment and low cost of ownership. The flexible licensing model for
Microsoft SQL Server 6.0, introduced last fall with Microsoft BackOffice,
allows customers to purchase the exact number of servers and client-access
licenses they need. The low incremental cost of adding additional user
licenses makes it easy and cost-effective to expand as needed.

Product Availability; Information Online

U.S. and international English-language versions of Microsoft SQL Server
6.0 are scheduled to be available worldwide within two weeks through
Microsoft distributors, resellers and Solution Providers. Localized
French- and German-language versions are scheduled to be available within
90 days.

Customers can obtain additional product information from a variety of
Microsoft online resources, including the following:

* World Wide Web: http://www.microsoft.com
* CompuServe Information Service and The Microsoft Network: GO MSSQL

Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 is a component of Microsoft BackOffice, a family
of server applications that combine to form an integrated information
system to help customers streamline business processes and improve
information access. In addition to Microsoft SQL Server 6.0, they include
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Microsoft SNA Server, Microsoft Systems
Management Server and Microsoft Mail Server.

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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