Compaq Leverages Microsoft Partnership In Aggressive Internal Windows 95 Transition; Global Rollout Will Enhance Customer Support.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 1995--Demonstrating its commitment to the benefits of Windows 95, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced it has begun an aggressive, company-wide transition to the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system for its own internal network.

As Microsoft's Lead Systems Partner for Windows 95, Compaq's primary role in the development, testing and implementation of Windows 95 gives the company a unique ability to offer its employees and customers immediate access to the benefits of lower internal support costs, enhanced ease of use and access to new applications. This rapid transition to the new operating system will also enhance the support Compaq provides its customers in running Windows 95.

"We have been working very closely with Microsoft in the development and testing of Windows 95, and it became clear early on that with all the benefits in increased productivity and lower internal support costs, we would want to transition the company to Windows 95 as quickly as possible," said John White, chief information officer of Compaq Computer Corporation. "Windows 95 provides a long list of advantages, including better desktop stability, easier hardware configuration and multi-tasking, and the elimination of the remote access and memory limitations we had to deal with in the past. This adds up to higher productivity for our employees."

Compaq began its transition to Windows 95 with 500 Compaq employees worldwide serving as early testers of the new software. By August 24, more than 1,000 employees, including a team of customer support representatives, will be using Windows 95. Compaq's Information Systems department plans to transition more than 5,000 employees to Windows 95 by September.

Compaq's aggressive transition to Windows 95 will enhance the company's customer support services by giving the support teams the valuable experience of working with the new operating system first hand.

Compaq has worked closely with Microsoft throughout the development of Windows 95, investing nearly 50 man-years in joint testing and development to support internal requirements. As a result, Compaq will provide both its employees and customers with seamless integration of its hardware with Windows 95 software.

"Our focus is on support readiness, and because of Compaq's unique Lead Systems Partner for Windows 95 relationship with Microsoft, our support group has had a chance to get ahead of the learning curve on Windows 95," said Leroy Fronk, head of Compaq's Windows 95 internal migration team. "We have had a support team running Windows 95 on their Compaq PCs for several months now; our staff has been at Microsoft in Redmond learning from the support work they are doing with their early testers; and we have been providing some internal support here at Compaq to get ready for the questions our customers will have as they learn this new operating system."

Compaq plans to have 95 percent of its employees running Windows 95 by the end of this year, with essentially all employees worldwide transitioned to the new operating system by the first quarter of 1996. Compaq's internal network includes more than 15,000 PC users and up to 17,000 PCs in offices throughout the world.

Compaq Background

Compaq Computer Corporation is the world's largest supplier of personal computers, offering desktop PCs, portable PCs and servers. Founded in 1982, the company reported 1994 worldwide sales of $10.9 billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of more than 38,000 Compaq marketing partners. Compaq also sells products directly to customers through Compaq Direct Plus at 1-800-888-5858. Compaq provides 24-hour customer support and can be reached through the Compaq forums on America Online, CompuServe, Internet (http://www.compaq.com), and Prodigy, or by calling 1-800- 345-1518. -0-

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

CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation

Nora Hahn, Yvonne Donaldson,

John Sweney, Mike Berman,

Hedy Baker, Jerele Neeld,

Brian Temple, Rebecca Nahas,

Janet Dean 

713/374-0484

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617/536-0470

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