Partner Press Release
Microsoft Announces General Availability Of BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet

BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet and Intel-Based Servers Support XML Standards

For Release October 16, 2001

Redmond, WA --

Microsoft Corp., one of the founding members of the RosettaNet consortium, today announced the general availability of its BizTalk™ Server Accelerator for RosettaNet. In addition, Microsoft’s accelerator was used by several companies to establish RosettaNet connections with their trading partners at Intel Corp.’s RosettaNet Interoperability Fest held last month in Taiwan. Built on top of Microsoft® BizTalk Server 2000, the Accelerator for RosettaNet provides the software adapters and server platform needed to rapidly implement RosettaNet solutions that will integrate applications and supply-chain partners and enable the orchestration of complex, collaborative business processes.

“The combination of the Microsoft’s BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet and Intel-based servers addresses the need for interoperability and flexibility to meet the demands of e-business,” said Sandra Morris, vice president, director of e-Business at Intel. “Microsoft has shown commitment to accelerating RosettaNet implementations and interoperability of its solutions through participation in the Intel Interoperability Fest and RosettaNet Basics program, as well as with a product line that meets the needs of large companies, such as Intel, and medium and small-sized companies that represent a wide range of our customers and suppliers.”

“As a supporter and advocate of XML and RosettaNet, Microsoft understands the value of standards-based integration,” said Jennifer Hamilton, CEO of RosettaNet. “The general availability of its new BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet underscores the company’s commitment to helping drive XML-based standards business processes, such as RosettaNet, into today’s IT infrastructure.”

About BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet
The BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet is a set of tools and technical resources that enhances the functionality of BizTalk Server 2000 to significantly reduce the amount of time and resources required to build, deploy and manage RosettaNet solutions.

The BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet includes the following:

·          RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) 1.1 parser for BizTalk Server 2000. This allows BizTalk Server 2000 to “speak” RosettaNet.

·          Prebuilt Partner Interface Processes™ (PIP ^® ).   A collection of the most commonly used Partner Interface Processes prebuilt for BizTalk Server 2000 allows developers and IT professionals to quickly integrate their applications and trading partners into a RosettaNet solution.

·          PIP tools. A template-based resource for building any of the more than 80 PIPs allows developers and IT professionals to very easily build any of the PIPs they need for their RosettaNet solution.

·          PIP unit tester. This allows developers and IT professionals to easily test their RosettaNet implementations.

·          Comprehensive documentation and samples. These shorten the learning curve for developers and IT professionals building RosettaNet solutions.

Pricing and Availability
The BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet is available in two editions: Enterprise Edition, which is $20,000 per CPU, and Standard Edition, which is $4,000 per CPU. More information on BizTalk Server 2000 and the additional BizTalk Server Accelerators can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/biztalk/ .

About Intel RosettaNet Interoperability Fest
Today, in Taipei, Taiwan, as part of the RosettaNet Partner Conference, Intel announced the results of its Interoperability Fest, a technology event in which 39 supply-chain trading partners and e-business solution providers successfully exchanged XML documents using RosettaNet standards. The event also demonstrated interoperability between third-party software solutions that connect businesses to their trading partners. Additional information about Intel and the Interoperability Fest is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/.

About RosettaNet
RosettaNet is an independent, nonprofit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network. More than 400 companies representing more than $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues currently participate in RosettaNet’s standards development, strategy and implementation activities. A complete list of member companies and more information on RosettaNet is available at http://www.rosettanet.org/.