WINDOWS NT WORKSTAION 4.0 POPULAR AMONG SMALL FIRMS.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), Redmond, Wash., has announced that nearly one in five U.S. small-business customers is using the Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) Workstation operating system 4.0, an increase from one in 20 just nine months ago, according to Taylor Nelson SOFRES Intersearch. Small businesses that have migrated to Windows NT Workstation 4.0 cite increased reliability and security as well as overall lowered support costs as key factors in their decision.

To assist small organizations planning to acquire Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on new PCs, Microsoft recently unveiled the Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Step-by-Step Setup Assistant for Small Businesses. Microsoft has also initiated worldwide training programs for technology providers that build, sell and support PC solutions for small businesses. These programs provide the training and information technology providers need to preinstall, distribute and support Windows NT Workstation 4.0.

"Customers are responding enthusiastically to the capabilities and benefits of Windows NT Workstation, as shown by its explosive growth -- more than doubling in the last year alone," said Robert Bennett, group product manager for Windows(R) Marketing. "Today's announcement underscores Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the small-business community in delivering tools and programs designed to enable small businesses to succeed."

Customer Success Stories

As Windows NT Workstation 4.0 continues to see success in the small-business segment, technology providers have noted that small-business customers have realized that the improved stability and lowered support costs offered by Windows NT Workstation 4.0 increased value.

"Since a large part of our customer base is made up of small to medium-sized businesses that don't have a true IT department, they look to us for direction on technology. Once we demonstrate that the stability of Windows NT Workstation can save them significant costs in support and downtime, they're sold," said Brian Jessen, president of Hard Drives Northwest Inc. "Not only has Windows NT Workstation helped to reduce our customers' support costs, we've tracked about a 50 percent drop in our own support costs since migrating to it."

Intertox Inc., a scientific research firm and customer of Hard Drives Northwest, touted the increased reliability and security of Windows NT Workstation 4.0. Intertox, which specializes in the assessment of the impact of chemicals and microbes on public health and the environment, needed an operating system that provide increased stability and security. The company chose Windows NT Workstation 4.0.

"We're committed to the business practice of using the most respected and current technology available, so we looked to Microsoft for the products we needed," said Dr. Richard Pleus, president of Intertox. "Before, with some of our most resource-intensive applications, we never knew if we'd complete a task without having to reboot the system. Since installing Windows NT Workstation we never worry about it. In addition, with the security features in Windows NT Workstation we can be sure that only those people authorized to use the information have access to it."

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office in Mount Vernon, Mo., runs a 911 emergency-call center to meet the needs of over 40,000 customers. Given the increased security necessary to protect private information of incoming calls, as well as the need for an operating system with a level of stability to prevent crashing at critical moments, the sheriff's office chose Windows NT Workstation 4.0.

"Reliability is crucial for an operating system that must meet the demands of a 911 call center. Also, because of the confidential nature of the information we use, security is an imperative feature," said Sheriff Doug Seneker at Lawrence County Sheriff's Office. "With these demands in mind, we chose Windows NT Workstation 4.0, which has helped us meet our goal of providing the community with the highest-quality, most cost-effective service possible."

New Tools and Resources for Small Businesses

Microsoft also announced the Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Step-by-Step Setup Assistant for Small Businesses, designed to provide small businesses with detailed instructions to help them set up Windows NT Workstation on a new machine. After customers follow the steps in the guide, their Windows NT-based workstations will be ready for use by one or more people, connected to any available network, ready to share drives and printers with other computers, connected to the Internet, and configured for other settings to help ensure that customers can be productive right away.

In addition, Microsoft has rolled out training programs for more than 15,000 technology providers and system builders in 26 cities, designed to provide them with the information they need to provide their small-business customers with smooth and efficient migration to Windows NT Workstation 4.0. These programs, which will be available worldwide, are designed to educate technology providers on the features of Windows NT Workstation 4.0, as well as the preinstallation process.

Pricing and Availability

The Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Step-by-Step Setup Assistant for Small Businesses will be available on new machines from PC manufacturers that include Cybermax Computer Corp., Gateway 2000 Inc., IBM Corp. (exclusively on the IBM ThinkPad 390) and MidWest Micro Corp. More information on Windows NT Workstation 4.0 and its benefits for small businesses, as well as the opportunity to order the Small Business Guide to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/smallbiz/windows/. System builders who want more information on the training programs or any additional resources available through the Microsoft OEM System Builder Program can visit http://www.microsoft.com/oem/.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

For more information, call 503-245-0905.