Compaq Announces Initiatives Supporting Windows NT Application Server Technologies for the Enterprise.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 1999--

Editors' Summary:

-- Opens worldwide network of nine Architecture Services Labs to help customers design and integrate applications based on Microsoft Application Server Technologies

-- Adds two Compaq COM+ and TP Expertise Centers in US and Ireland supporting Microsoft Application Server Technologies

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today announced a powerful set of services and programs to provide large enterprises with the capabilities and solutions to take advantage of Windows NT as the application server for the enterprise.

Compaq is the first vendor to establish a network of worldwide Architecture Services Labs for Microsoft application server technologies, the core of Microsoft Windows Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) architecture. Compaq's new labs will enable corporate development and management teams to understand how Microsoft application server technologies can respond to their business needs, with the emphasis on the rapid development and deployment of Windows NT applications. Compaq also announced a commitment to train 200 Compaq Solutions Architects for Microsoft Technologies (CSA/MT) with specialist training in Microsoft application server technologies by December 2000. These 200 architects extend Compaq's leadership in Microsoft technology expertise, which includes 2500 Windows NT certified professionals and 15,000 Microsoft-trained professionals.

Compaq has selected New York, the UK, and Singapore as locations for its first three labs, with plans to expand quickly to other sites in key business centers. Consultants from Compaq Services and Microsoft will staff each site. The Compaq Architecture Services Labs will provide an important development step in delivering large, complex projects. Customers working in small teams will typically learn how to apply Microsoft application server technologies to their evolving business needs. The labs offer an environment to test run applications and rapidly design a solution roadmap or `proof of concept' that corresponds to an organization's specific system environment.

"Our Architecture Service Labs will be the delivery vehicle of choice, providing enterprise-ready architecture for applications based on Microsoft Application Server Technologies," said Steve Mahoney, Vice President of Compaq's Application Integration Services Practice. "With decades of real-life experience in the development and integration of mission critical applications, a global network of Architecture Service Labs, and newly formed corps of CSA/MT professionals, Compaq will be the leading integrator of applications for the Windows platform in the enterprise."

"Microsoft is pleased at Compaq's investment in these Architecture Service Labs and training, as a part of their ongoing support for the Microsoft application server technologies," said Brad Chase, Vice President, Developer Relations and Marketing at Microsoft. "The market for skills with the Microsoft application server technologies is exploding, and Compaq has taken a real lead in this area."

Compaq's experience in integrating solution components for the enterprise, including recent upgrades to BusinessBus, Compaq's Enterprise Application Integration software, which now supports Microsoft application server technologies and Windows DNA, using Microsoft Message Queuing Server (MSMQ), adds to the extensive capabilities of the architecture service labs.

Merrill Lynch is one of the first organizations to utilize the new service lab in New York. "These Labs could provide an important continual service in our plans of moving our organization forward in deploying new applications," said Andrew Brown, Director within Enterprise Technology Service for Merrill Lynch. "Immersing our staff in both technology and architecture in a compact session quickly achieves our goal of building more responsive business solutions within a sound architecture framework."

Compaq COM+ and TP Expertise Centers

Compaq also joined with Microsoft today to announce the establishment of Compaq COM+ and Transaction Processing Expertise Centers, with initial locations in Littleton, Mass. and Dublin, Ireland. These centers will provide assistance for partners, solution providers, and large-scale customers deploying software built on Microsoft application server technologies. With a focus on application design best practices, these centers will ensure scalability, reliability and high availability, in conjunction with Compaq's Enterprise Application Server engineering products, providing added value for the Microsoft environment to address these key enterprise requirements.

"Compaq's expertise in designing, deploying, and managing large-scale systems in field-proven data center environments is brought into these centers for the benefit of partners and customers desiring the ease of use, integrated services and tools, and low total cost of Microsoft application server technologies," said Dave Rodgers, Vice President of NT Programs, Compaq. The centers work directly with partners and solution providers, and with Compaq Services, in support of customer engagements.

"Compaq is serious about establishing itself as the premier solution provider for developing enterprise mission critical applications using Microsoft application Server technologies," said Joe Maloney, Group Product Manager, Platform Marketing at Microsoft. "Judging by their commitment, and investment in these centers, there is little question in our minds that Compaq has what it takes to lead in deploying solutions based on Microsoft application server technologies."

Compaq and Microsoft - Partnering in the Enterprise

Businesses that need comprehensive solutions for their enterprise can gain competitive advantage by leveraging two distinct relationships between Compaq and Microsoft. Microsoft has endorsed Compaq as the first worldwide Prime Integrator for Windows NT, because Compaq can provide customers one-stop shopping and a single point of contact to design, develop, implement and manage comprehensive information technology solutions. Compaq and Microsoft also work closely to address customer business needs through the Frontline Partnership. This alliance represents nearly two decades of experience in developing and delivering new technology, service offerings and increased service capacity to address business needs involving infrastructure, business intelligence, messaging and collaboration, Internet/intranet and business critical computing.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a Fortune Global 100 company. Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, 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.