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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.dectei-l
Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 13:07:02 PST
              <DECTEI-L@UBVM.BITNET>
From:         ELLEN MINTER * 297-2461 * EDUCATION MARKETING
              <minter@MR4DEC.ENET.DEC.COM>
Subject:      Press Release - Microsoft and DEC 1

                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:      EST
                                        From:     Ellen Minter @MRO
                                                  MINTER.ELLEN
                                        Dept:     Worldwide Education IBU
                                        Tel No:   297-2461

TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _decwrl::"dectei-l%ubvm.bitnet" )


Subject: Press Release - Microsoft and DEC


Diane Voelker
(603) 884-3899





              DIGITAL AND MICROSOFT EXPAND RELATIONSHIP
                          IN DATABASE ARENA

              Digital Agrees to Resell Microsoft Access
             and to Port DEC Rdb to Windows NT Platform


MAYNARD, Mass. -- November 16, 1992 -- Digital Equipment Corporation
announced today that it will extend its relationship with Microsoft
by reselling Microsoft Access and by porting DEC Rdb, Digital's
strategic relational database, to Microsoft's Windows NT operating
system.
     Microsoft Access is a database management system for the
Windows operating system that provides easy-to-use features and
powerful data access for PC users. It is a complete desktop database
system that includes forms, report generator, and graphical query
tools.
     Using the recently announced Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)
client driver for Digital's Rdb database, a Microsoft Access PC user
can access, modify, upload and download Rdb data to and from Windows
environments. This will enable an entire new class of Rdb users to
take their data with them. Through Microsoft Access applications,
Rdb users will be able to review, modify, and add to their data
while away from the office using their laptops or PCs.  When these
'mobile users' return to the office, they can easily upload their
data back into the Rdb production database.
     ODBC is an emerging industry standard for client-server
database access. ODBC allows users to easily access, modify, upload
and download Rdb data to and from Windows environments. Customers'
investments in their Rdb database is enhanced by connectivity to
current and future Windows-based ODBC applications.
     "Microsoft and Digital have worked together since the inception
of the SQL Access Group and this agreement further signifies their
shared commitment to the goal of providing a "shrink wrapped" API
(Application Programming Interface) to the PC industry," said Chuck
Rozwat, Digital's Database Manager.
     Digital also announced that the DEC Rdb relational database
will be ported to Microsoft's Windows NT platform on Alpha AXP
architecture.  DEC Rdb is the leading database on the OpenVMS
operating system with over 25,000 development licenses sold
worldwide.
     "Digital's Information Network strategy is to integrate
heterogeneous data managers from multiple vendors and platforms,"
said Hans Gyllstrom, Vice President of Digital's Network Application
Support (NAS) Group. "By making Rdb available on the Windows NT
platform, Digital is protecting its customers' investments and
enhancing the Information Network for all present and future
customers."
     Gyllstrom added, "Digital has thousands of customers who rely
on Rdb to run critical production applications on VAX systems. These
same customers will want the ability to easily migrate their
applications and databases to the Windows NT platform over time. DEC
Rdb for NT AXP will provide customers with an open production
environment offering industry-leading performance, functionality and
cost-effectiveness."
     "We are pleased to have a quality database like Digital's Rdb
ported to Windows NT," said Paul Maritz, senior vice president,
systems division of Microsoft. "This is one more example of the
robustness and the direction of Windows NT. The fully 32-bit,
multithreaded computing of Windows NT will ensure a robust
environment for Rdb database users," added Maritz.
     Digital will announce specific pricing and availability for its
DEC Rdb for NT AXP database in the near future.
     Digital Equipment Corporation, headquartered in Maynard,
Massachusetts, is the leading worldwide supplier of networked
computer systems, software, and services. The company pioneered
and leads the industry in interactive, distributed and multivendor
computing. Digital and its business partners deliver the power to
use the best integrated solutions - from desktop to data center -
in open information environments.
                                  ####


Note to Editors:  OpenVMS, VAX, Rdb, AXP, and Alpha AXP are
                  trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.

                  Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft
                  Corporation.  Windows and Windows NT are
                  trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

CORP/93/885
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