Martinair Uses Softricity's SoftGrid Platform to Accelerate Client Application Deployments by Over 90%.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BOSTON & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2003

At the Microsoft Management Summit today, Softricity announced that many customers are using its SoftGrid Platform to streamline deployments and eliminate common problems, including issues resulting from installing multiple versions of Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) on the same computer - known as "DLL Hell."

The company also unveiled that Martinair, the large Dutch airline, has deployed SoftGrid, accelerating delivery of client applications by over 90% and solving its DLL issues.

"When we decided to roll out Windows XP to our employees, it became clear we would need to redeploy all our hundreds of applications to our workstations again," said Ronald Zant, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Manager, Martinair. "The range of applications, combined with limited bandwidth to our branch offices throughout the world, would have made this an extremely difficult and time-consuming process. By using SoftGrid at our central offices in Schiphol airport and running it with Citrix MetaFrame for our branch offices, we've been able to reduce new and updated application deployment times dramatically, and have done so within our bandwidth parameters. By centrally managing the deployments, we've made the process much simpler. And, SoftGrid also enables us to eliminate common deployment problems, including "DLL Hell." All in all it diminishes the workload on our system engineers considerably."

Softricity's SoftGrid enables applications that conflict other applications to run on the same computer at the same time. It does this by processing applications within a sandbox-like protective barrier, called SystemGuard(TM), so that program files - including DLLs and the Registry - are specific to the application and do not alter the host operating system. This eliminates a host of costly deployment steps, including regression testing, and enables a larger range of applications to run on the same computer at the same time. In addition, SoftGrid enables applications to be available "on demand" using a unique deployment technology where small portions of the application code are streamed to the destination computer. This eliminates the need to install applications and updates on a machine-by-machine basis, instead delivering application to computers on a real-time, as-needed basis.

"Many customers and resellers come to us to reduce the cost of application deployment and management," said Rashied Akrum, CEO, CDG Europe. "The Martinair installation is an excellent example of how SoftGrid can be used to eliminate costly application deployment and management problems."

"Companies spend untold hours deploying client applications, tracking down the reasons for application failures after installations, and doing regression tests to circumvent these kind of problems," said Bill Corrigan, vice president of product management, Softricity. "We're tremendously pleased that Martinair has been able to eliminate these issues, including DLL Hell, and their associated resource-drain by using the SoftGrid platform.

"The upcoming release of Microsoft Windows 2003 Server removes the DLL conflict for all new applications since updated DLLs will no longer overwrite older versions," Corrigan added. "However, for existing applications that don't run on Windows 2003 Server, SoftGrid will be a critical, complementary solution. The combination of SoftGrid-enhanced applications and Windows 2003 applications will enable companies to much more easily and cost-effectively deploy all their software."

About CDG Europe

Martinair is one of the larger Dutch airlines and is a customer of Softricity Partner Ab Ovo International and distributor CDG Europe. CDG, located in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, is the leading IT innovation distributor in the Benelux, representing over 150 resellers, delivering innovative solutions for Application Deployment and Server-Based Computing. Its goal is to find new products and services that are a welcome extension to these concepts. As a result, CDG can always offer end-users innovative solutions with added value through its reseller channel. More information can be found by visiting www.cdg.nl.

About Softricity:

Softricity Inc. develops products that enable applications to be delivered as network services to thousands of computers from a single server, allowing its enterprise customers to reduce the cost of application deployment and management. The company's flagship product, the Softricity SoftGrid Platform, eliminates the need for installing and updating applications on a machine-by-machine basis, simplifying the administration of Windows desktops and Windows Terminal Servers. Softricity has a multiyear Strategic Alliance with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT"), is a Microsoft Terminal Services Industry Partner and is a Premier Citrix (Nasdaq "CTXS") Business Alliance Member. More information can be found by visiting the Softricity Web site at http://www.softricity.com.