Microsoft Corp. today announced the release to manufacturing of Windows� Compute Cluster Server 2003, the company�s first software offering designed to run parallel, high-performance computing (HPC) applications for customers solving complex computations. Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 accelerates customers� time to insight by providing a reliable, HPC platform that is simple to deploy, operate, and integrate with existing infrastructure and tools. The product will be generally available to customers in August, and evaluation versions will be provided to attendees of the Microsoft� Tech�Ed 2006 conference, June 11�16 in Boston.

�High-performance computing technology holds great potential for expanding the opportunities within engineering, medical research, exploration and other critical human endeavors, but until now it has been too expensive and too difficult for many people to use effectively,� said Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft. �Microsoft is making HPC technology more mainstream by bringing the cost advantages, ease of use and partner ecosystem of the Windows Server� platform to departments and divisions in commercial industry and the public sector. We want HPC technology to become a pervasive resource � something that�s as easy to locate and use as printers are today. Microsoft is excited about the promise this holds for our customers and partners in the months and years ahead.�