Microsoft Licenses VenturCom's Component Integrator Technology
(PR Newswire; 06/15/98)

NEW ORLEANS, June 15 /PRNewswire/   Today at Retail Systems '98, Microsoft 
Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and VenturCom Inc. announced an agreement for Microsoft to 
license VenturCom's Component Integrator product. Designed as a tool for 
deploying Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) operating system-based embedded solutions, 
Component Integrator makes it easier and faster for engineers to develop and 
deploy customized, embedded, or real-time applications based on Windows(R) 
environments. With this agreement, Microsoft demonstrates its commitment to 
support the increasing needs of customers and original equipment manufacturers 
(OEMs) deploying embedded systems across a variety of vertical industries.

    "Customers and OEMs continually give us feedback on how we can better 
support their growing needs for using Windows NT in embedded solutions," said 
Jim Allchin, senior vice president, personal and business systems group at 
Microsoft Corp. "By licensing a leading technology such as VenturCom's 
Component Integrator tool, we will continue to respond to the specialized needs 
of our customers that deploy and develop embedded systems."

    Microsoft and VenturCom have a strong working relationship in delivering 
embedded solutions in the Windows environment. VenturCom has been very 
successful, with multiple projects with more than 275 partners worldwide in 
many vertical markets, including retail, industrial automation, 
telecommunications, aviation, simulation, imaging and gaming. As an extension 
of the companies' existing relationship, the latest agreement gives Microsoft 
an opportunity to ensure future developments in its operating system will 
support specialized tools such as Component Integrator, various existing 
embedded applications on Windows NT and the many customers who deploy them.

    "The shape of the embedded industry has changed. The opportunities and 
needs for embedded solutions have grown exponentially," said Michael Dexter 
Smith, chief executive officer of VenturCom. "This agreement reaffirms 
Microsoft's commitment to this worldwide industry. VenturCom is delighted to be 
working with Microsoft to help meet the needs of embedded systems customers."

    In the retail industry, the Windows family supports solutions across 
various embedded devices throughout the retail chain, such as mobile 
warehousing and sales scanners, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and interactive 
kiosks, thereby integrating client/server systems and legacy applications. In a 
broader industry effort, Microsoft continues to support embedded retail systems 
through the COM-based ActiveStore(TM) retail technology architecture initiative 
for store-level applications and the Value Chain Initiative (VCI) for business-
to-business electronic commerce. For more information on Microsoft retail 
solutions, visit the Microsoft Web site at 
http://www.microsoft.com/industry/retail_dist/.

    As a result of the agreement, VenturCom plans to increase its consulting, 
service and support associated with sales of its Component Integrator tool and 
Windows NT-based embedded systems. It is anticipated that aspects of its 
consulting services will see substantial growth over the next 12 to 18 months 
to accommodate the growing demand of Windows NT-based embedded systems across 
key vertical markets. In addition, VenturCom plans to expand its worldwide 
training and support operations as well as its distribution channel.

    About VenturCom Inc.
    VenturCom Inc. is the leading technology provider of tools and extensions 
to rapidly develop and deploy dedicated, embedded, real-time applications based 
on the Windows operating systems. The company has distribution channels in more 
than 30 countries. Complete corporate and product information is available at 
VenturCom's Web site, http://www.vci.com/.

    About Microsoft Corp.
    Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal 
computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for 
business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier 
and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal 
computing every day.

    NOTE:  Microsoft, Windows NT, Windows and ActiveStore are either registered 
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other 
countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their 
respective owners.

SOURCE  Microsoft Corp.
    -0-                             06/15/98
    /NOTE TO EDITORS:  If you are interested in viewing additional information
on Microsoft, check out the Microsoft Web page at
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's corporate information
pages./
    /CONTACT:  press only, Megan Reinhardt, 408-986-1140, or
meganrwagged.com, or Phyllis McNeice, 425-637-9097, or phyllismwagged.com,
both of Waggener Edstrom, for Microsoft Corp.; or Carol Wolicki of Dimond
Communications, 617-424-8373, or cwolickidimondgroup.com, for VenturCom/
    /Web site:  http://www.vci.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.microsoft.com/
    (MSFT)