Microsoft and SWsoft Collaborate to Offer Free Web Site Builder for Hosters; Innovative New Site-Creation Solution Now Available for the Fastest-Growing Hosting Platform.

REDMOND, Wash. & HERNDON, Va. -- Microsoft Corp. and SWsoft, a recognized leader in server automation and virtualization software, today announced the availability of a browser-based Web site-building application for the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating system. SWsoft SiteBuilder for Windows will be available for free* to hosters worldwide through Sept. 30, 2006, as part of a special promotion. The new offering includes a powerful wizard-driven interface, high-quality Web site templates, integration with Microsoft Windows, full support* and much more.

"Building on the success of the Web Site Starters for Windows launched in May, Microsoft is pleased to be working with SWsoft to offer hosters compelling end-user applications that will help them attract more customers," said Pascal Martin, general manager for Hosting Solutions at Microsoft. "Demand for Windows-based hosting services continues to grow, and Microsoft, along with industry partners like SWsoft, is committed to helping hosters build great businesses on Windows."

"We are excited to work with Microsoft to bring to market a powerful and effective site-building application for service providers, resellers and end users," said Kurt Daniel, director of marketing at SWsoft. "SiteBuilder for Windows provides best-in-class value to the worldwide hosting market with the addition of a proven, revenue-producing customer retention application that is further integrated with our full range of hosting software solutions."

"Our shared hosting business built on Microsoft Windows-based applications has experienced excellent growth with the help of applications that are compelling and cost-effective for our customers," said Carlos Caneja, CTO of Applied Innovations. "SWsoft SiteBuilder for Windows gives our business a strong advantage in enabling our customers to create, publish and edit attractive Web sites through a surprisingly easy-to-use wizard-driven interface."

SWsoft's SiteBuilder for Windows is a next-generation, Web-based site builder application that allows for quick and easy creation and editing of Web sites. In five simple steps, customers can create and deploy their own Web sites without any previous site-building experience.

The advantages of SiteBuilder for Windows include the following:

--Easy-to-use Web interface. Five-step point-and-click wizard that provides design and layout templates, page structure, sample text placement and a powerful WYSIWYG editor for less tech-savvy users

--Easily differentiated design. Assortment of skins to integrate with their control panels and facilitate private branding

--Advanced design templates and features. More than 300 sophisticated templates as well as advanced statistics, photo albums and more

--Open architecture. Ability for more advanced users to modify default template designs and add new templates, page sets and modules

--Microsoft platform support. Integration with Microsoft Windows Server(TM) operating system features and Microsoft SQL Server(TM) and Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine

--Professional 24x7x365 support and updates. Comprehensive SWsoft support along with regular product updates

General Availability and Promotion Details

English, Japanese, Spanish and German language versions of the SiteBuilder are available for immediate download at http://www.sw-soft.com/en/products/sitebuilder/win. Versions in additional languages are scheduled to be available soon. The no-cost promotion will extend through Sept. 30, 2006. More information can be found at http://www.sw-soft.com/en/products/sitebuilder/win.

About SWsoft

SWsoft is a recognized leader in server automation and virtualization software for service providers and enterprises with more than 10,000 customers in over 100 countries. SWsoft offers comprehensive solutions -- integrated through the FUSION Initiative -- including Virtuozzo, Plesk, SiteBuilder, HSPcomplete and PEM, to deliver proven performance, reliability, manageability and value. Headquartered in Herndon, VA, with offices around the world, SWsoft is a privately held, high growth company funded by Bessemer Venture Partners, Intel Capital, and Insight Venture Partners. For more information, visit www.sw-soft.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* As part of a special arrangement between Microsoft and SWsoft, the SWsoft SiteBuilder for Windows will be available as a free download for hosters until Sept. 30, 2006. Hosters are free to deploy the site-builder, and sign up an unlimited number of customers. After the download period is over, hosters can continue to sign up customers for site-builder-based services at no charge until August 2007 (these sites will be supported via SWsoft e-mail support for one year after they are created). After this special promotional period is over, the hoster will only need to obtain licenses for new customers (e.g., the hoster will not have to pay license fees for site created before August 2007, but will have to pay license fees for customers who sign up from September 2007 onward).

Microsoft, Windows and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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