Micro Focus Continues to Strengthen Ties with Microsoft as Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Certification Elevates Micro Focus Development and Deployment Solutions within the Microsoft .Net Framework

Micro Focus International Ltd. (Micro Focus(R)), the leading provider of legacy application development and deployment software for contemporary platforms, today announced that it has been awarded the status of Microsoft Gold Certified Partner as it continues to strengthen ties between legacy and the latest Microsoft technology. The highest level of Microsoft's partner program for independent software vendors, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status is designed for companies that consistently provide the highest-quality products built for the Microsoft Windows platform.

"Our new status as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner continues to build on our successful strategy of unlocking the value in legacy investments," said Tony Hill, chief executive officer of Micro Focus. "This additional level of certification within Microsoft's partner program is the latest in a series of initiatives that Micro Focus is undertaking to bring the latest Microsoft technology to the world of legacy."

The Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program provides business benefits to companies that have proven their commitment and expertise in one or more specialized categories when delivering Microsoft technologies. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners are required to meet a higher set of technical and business standards for each category, including enhanced individual certification and a portfolio of real-world customer references. Meeting these higher criteria identifies Microsoft Gold Certified Partners as the most skilled providers in specific solution categories.

"Only companies that have demonstrated the highest levels of technical expertise and customer support with proven experience and that have attained advanced certification receive the designation of Microsoft Gold Certified Partners," said Nick Abbott, group manager of the Visual Studio Industry Partner Program at Microsoft Corp. "Today, Microsoft recognizes Micro Focus for its role in bridging legacy applications with the latest Microsoft products and technology."

As part of this achievement Micro Focus Net Express(R) with .NET has been formally certified for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, elevating Net Express(R) with .NET and COBOL to "first class citizens" within the Microsoft .NET Framework. This means that existing investments in legacy COBOL applications that define the majority of business systems in use today can now be utilized under the .NET Framework. The certification testing was performed by VeriTest, the testing division of Lionbridge (Nasdaq:LIOX), and the full report can be viewed on their Web site at www.veritest.com.

This is one of a series of ongoing initiatives Micro Focus has announced with Microsoft in recent months. Micro Focus is also a premier partner in Microsoft Visual Studio Industry Partner (VSIP) program, and the two companies are members of the Mainframe Migration Alliance.

About Micro Focus

Micro Focus is the leading provider of legacy application development and deployment software for contemporary platforms. Micro Focus enables organizations to unlock the value of their legacy by reusing their business-critical assets with Microsoft .NET, Java, XML and Web services, resulting in reduced costs, increased agility and minimal risk. Founded in 1976, Micro Focus is a global company with principal offices in the United Kingdom, United States and Japan. For more information, visit www.microfocus.com.

Micro Focus and Net Express are registered trademarks of Micro Focus International, Ltd. All other products mentioned in this announcement are trademarks of their respective owners.