From: rjones@wsl.dec.com (Russ Jones)
Newsgroups: biz.dec
Subject: DECnews/Digital and Microsoft Expand Data Management Relationship
Date: 18 Nov 92 00:50:44 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation

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                                              Digital Equipment Corporation
                                          Maynard, Massachusetts 01754-2571
Editorial contact:

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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