Today at Siebel User Week, Microsoft Corp. and Siebel Systems Inc., a leading provider of business applications software, announced a new migration program designed to continue the strong momentum that has made the Windows� platform the leading choice for Siebel Systems customers.

Since the global strategic alliance between the companies was announced two years ago, the Windows platform has experienced significant customer momentum as Siebel Systems customers seek greater flexibility, lower cost of ownership and increased ability to integrate IT assets. As a result, Microsoft� Windows Server (TM) is the leading platform for running the Siebel application tier. Further, when clients are choosing an operating system upon which to run their database, Microsoft�Windows Server emerges as the leading platform, with customer share increasing 50 percent in the past two years.

"Demand for lower costs, lower complexity and easier integration with other applications through the use of Web services has made Windows the most popular platform with Siebel customers," said Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Developer & Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft. "Microsoft and Siebel are focused on enabling customers to meet their increasing CRM needs by helping them connect a variety of systems so they can unlock more value from their existing investments."