Microsoft Announces Beta Availability of Small Business Server 4.5

New Version of Leading Small Business Server Solution
Designed to Meet Needs of Technology Providers

REDMOND, Wash. -- Jan. 11, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today announced beta availability of Microsoft^® BackOffice^® Small Business Server version 4.5, the latest version of the company's industry-leading small business server suite. This new release focuses on delivering a comprehensive set of tools that give technology providers more flexibility and control over setup, network management and Internet connectivity. Small Business Server 4.5 includes the Windows NT^® Server network operating system 4.0 with Service Pack 4, Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5, Microsoft SQL Server™ version 7.0 and Proxy Server version 2.0. Small Business Server 4.5 has been tested for year 2000 compliance and offers an increased limit of 50 workstations and complete integration with Office 2000. The version upgrade of Small Business Server 4.5 will be available for a nominal shipping and handling fee to licensed users of Small Business Server 4.0 when it is released. A special channel preview version of Microsoft Small Business Server 4.5 can be ordered for a limited time via the Web at http://www.microsoft.com/directaccess/.

"Small Business Server 4.5 demonstrates the strategic importance we place on technology providers by incorporating their requests for tools that allow more control over setup, management and Internet connectivity," said Bob Muglia, senior vice president, applications and tools group at Microsoft.

"With this new release we expect to double our business, thanks to the new generation of technology-provider-focused tools and increased support for up to 50 workstations," said technology provider Jeff Averbeck, president and CEO of SMARTech. "Microsoft really listened to us and incorporated our top feature requests in Small Business Server 4.5."

New features to support technology providers include the following:

• Enhanced setup engine offers an automated and flexible installation process with interactive help, hardware confirmation pages, a progress bar and the ability to specify installation directories for applications.
• Small Business Server Internet Connectivity Wizard allows easy configuration of Small Business Server with any ISP using the broadest range of connectivity options, including ADSL, cable modem, ISDN and other high-speed solutions.
• Server Status tool delivers scheduled server status and log reports via e-mail or fax.
• Enhanced Remote Administration tool utilizes Microsoft NetMeeting^® conferencing software version 2.1 to allow technology providers to administer and manage Small Business Server sites remotely.
• Two no-charge telephone support incidents and unlimited free online support will be available at product release to make it easier for technology providers to support their customers.
• The maximum number of licensed client workstations has increased from 25 to 50.
• The separate Small Business Server with Office Pro SKU now features a fully integrated version of the Office 2000 business productivity software suite.

Technology providers can receive in-depth technical information about Small Business Server 4.5 by attending a no-cost Direct Access event in their area. More information about these briefings is available at http://www.microsoft.com/directaccess/events/.

Small Business Server 4.5 is a comprehensive and integrated suite of server applications designed to provide small businesses with the powerful networking and application server capabilities of Windows NT Server 4.0, as well as internal and external e-mail functionality, a relational database, fast and secure Internet access, fax- and modem-sharing services, and an easy-to-use console for basic server administration.

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