Compaq Announces BizTalk Server Compatibility for Its BusinessBus Enterprise Application Integration Framework.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 1999--

Compaq Computer Corp. (NYSE:CPQ) today announced plans to support the Microsoft BizTalk Framework by releasing additional features for its popular BusinessBus Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) solution framework.

The next release of Compaq BusinessBus, due later this quarter, will use XML as its messaging standard and will incorporate an interface to Microsoft BizTalk Server as well as supporting the BizTalk Framework for exchanging information between applications, partners, and customers over the Internet. Specifically, the BusinessBus XML-compliant application programming interface (API) supports the use of BizTalk schemas in integrated solutions involving packaged or custom applications. In addition, BusinessBus will provide the ability to exchange XML schemas between the BizTalk repository and the BusinessBus Integration Manager, so that changes in business processes, data, or application functionality can be handled via configuration rather than programming.

BusinessBus will simplify the use of BizTalk across new and legacy applications running on heterogeneous platforms and multiple messaging transports. BusinessBus adds the ability to integrate business processes from packaged and legacy applications, while providing integrity across messages, applications, and business processes. With an extensive library of application wrappers for popular ERP, CRM and Supply Chain applications, combined with a broad range of technology wrappers for legacy applications, BusinessBus can provide the rapid end-to-end implementation of BizTalk-based solutions that is required in today's fast moving Internet world. For more information about Compaq BusinessBus and its support for BizTalk, visit http://www.compaq.com/services/businessbus

"The combination of the BizTalk Framework and Compaq BusinessBus represents a powerful solution that takes that utility of BizTalk to the widest possible market, allowing virtually any application to participate in a BizTalk interaction using the reliable, mission-critical features available through Compaq BusinessBus," said Marcus Schmidt, Industry Manager for e-Commerce at Microsoft Corp.

Introduced by Microsoft in March, the BizTalk Framework makes it easy for businesses to exchange information between software applications and conduct business over the Internet with trading partners and customers. The BizTalk Framework includes a design framework for implementing an XML schema and a set of XML tags used in messages sent between applications. Microsoft, other software companies and industry standards bodies will use the BizTalk Framework to produce XML schemas in a consistent manner to enable integration across industries and between business systems, regardless of platform, operating system or underlying technology. More information about the BizTalk Framework is available at http://www.biztalk.org/.

Compaq Background

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second-largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, enterprise and network electronic procurement solutions, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The Company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at http://www.compaq.com.

Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.