Microsoft and Compaq Strengthen Strategic Relationship

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft and Compaq Corporation have strengthened their strategic relationship with a new OEM agreement, focusing on delivering tightly integrated, high-availability client-server solutions demanded by customers. As part of this agreement, Compaq will offer new versions of its server platforms with the complete Microsoft BackOffice family of server applications for the Microsoft Windows NT Server operating system. This new agreement will benefit customers through reduced cost of ownership, increased system manageability, and improved high-availability systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OEM agreement between Microsoft and Compaq will deliver tightly integrated, high-availability client-server solutions to customers.
  • Compaq will offer new versions of its server platforms with the complete Microsoft BackOffice family of server applications for Windows NT Server operating system.
  • The agreement will benefit customers through reduced cost of ownership, increased system manageability, and improved high-availability systems.
  • Compaq has extensive knowledge of integrating Microsoft operating system and database software on Compaq clients and servers.
  • Microsoft and Compaq will offer joint technical support for customers using Microsoft BackOffice software on Compaq hardware.
  • Compaq's SmartStart integration tool will be enhanced to support Microsoft BackOffice products.
  • A Compaq/Microsoft Business Solutions Partnership has been established to accelerate and simplify the deployment of client-server solutions.
  • Both companies have deployed business-critical distributed applications using each other's products.
  • Compaq endorsed Microsoft BackOffice as a premier application server solution, citing its strong file and print server solution capabilities.
  • Microsoft endorsed the Compaq ProLiant family of servers as a premier BackOffice server platform.

Statistics:

  • Compaq will offer new versions of its server platforms with the complete Microsoft BackOffice family of server applications for Windows NT Server operating system.
  • The OEM agreement will reduce cost of ownership for customers by increasing system manageability and improving high-availability systems.
  • Compaq has integrated Microsoft operating system and database software on Compaq clients and servers for the past year.
  • Compaq's ProLiant 4500 server platform has been introduced with midrange-class capabilities and features at unprecedented price/performance value.
  • The ProLiant 4500 delivers scalability features required by key client-server-based enterprise applications, such as SAP R/3, that run on Windows NT Server.
  • Microsoft BackOffice is an integrated family of server software with five best-of-breed products.

Sources:

  • Microsoft Corporation and Compaq Corporation press release, undated.
  • Compaq Corporation press release, undated.
  • Compaq and Microsoft to Collaborate on Client-Server Solutions, undated.