Microsoft Preps Partners for New Server Software

DENVER -- Today at the Microsoft® Worldwide Partner Conference 2007 (WPC), Microsoft Corp. will showcase a robust pipeline of IT products, a growing infrastructure of support, and programs that will help partners capitalize on new opportunities in the coming year. A key focus of partner opportunity will be the next generation of integrated server products, business process management (BPM) solutions and security technologies, presented to customers through compelling tools and campaigns that demonstrate practical benefits to their unique environments.

“The ongoing momentum of the Windows Vista® operating system and 2007 Microsoft Office software license sales, combined with the full slate of new server products due to ship next year, creates a wealth of opportunity for Microsoft partners in 2007 and 2008,” said Allison L. Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft.

Launching the Next Wave of Innovation

Windows Server® 2008, SQL Server™ 2008 and Visual Studio® 2008 represent tremendous growth opportunities for partners, and together these products will deliver a reliable and security-enhanced platform, the foundation for the next generation of service-based applications.

“Our People-Ready Business vision links a company’s people to making a difference in business outcomes, and this difference can be amplified through great software,” said Simon Witts, corporate vice president of the Enterprise and Partner Group at Microsoft. “Our partner network plays an important role in helping our customers achieve this reality, and is now seeing real opportunity to help business leaders and IT teams deliver more value through the application of Microsoft software.”

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)