Major PC Software Vendors Unite in Support of Microsoft Windows Platform NEW YORK -- MAY 22, 1990 -- Following the announcement of the Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) graphical environment version 3.0, nine leading vendors of MS-DOS(R)-based personal computer applications today joined existing and newly announced ISVs in expressing their support for Microsoft's Windows. Those companies include Ashton-Tate, Lotus Development, WordPerfect, Oracle and Software Publishing Corporation, among others. "End users are clearly calling for the ease of use and productivity benefits of graphical applications," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft Corporation. "With growing vendor support for Windows, they will have more choices -- and more functionality -- than ever before. We expect ISV momentum to continue and the Windows/Presentation Manager graphical-user interface to become the prevailing standard for PC software in the years ahead." With over 700 software packages currently shipping, the Microsoft Windows environment already enjoys a broad applications base. Many of the ISVs supporting version 3.0 are already shipping or have committed to developing applications for Microsoft OS/2 Presentation Manager programs as well. Vendors State Their Support for Microsoft Windows ------------------------------------------------- Ashton-Tate Corporation: "Ashton-Tate is committed to developing application software for Windows. Our customers have told us that Windows is an important part of their future computing environments, and it is our continuing goal to address our customer needs," said Bill Lyons, president and chief operating officer. "As a result, Windows development is underway for Ashton-Tate products in areas such as database, word processing and presentation graphics. The presentation graphics software the company will demonstrate at the Windows version 3.0 announcement has been in development for over a year, and is just one example of future Ashton-Tate products for Windows." For more information, contact Linda Duttenhaver, (213) 538- 7011. Borland International: "More and more of our major customers are making commitments to GUI environments and are asking us to provide Windows versions of our products. We believe that the enhancements in Windows version 3.0 will make it more popular than ever before. We intend to support it with exciting new versions of our language, database and spreadsheet products," said Philippe Kahn, chairman, president and CEO of Borland International. For more information, contact Marguerite Padovani, (408) 438-8400. Informix Software, Inc.: "The potential of 286- and 386-based machines is unleashed by the ease-of-use characteristics that distinguish the Windows version 3.0 graphical user interface," said Douglas Edwards, executive director of software marketing at Informix Software, Inc. "Windows 3.0 can extend computing power to millions of new users and expands the opportunity for applications like our Wingz, which requires a graphical environment." For more information, contact Cathy Donohue, (415) 926-6651. Lotus Corporation: "Lotus has a stated commitment to deliver its spreadsheets on any computing platform that is important to our customers -- including MS-DOS, OS/2, UNIX, Digital's VAX/VMS, and IBM's VM and MVS environments -- and this is what is driving us to deliver a spreadsheet designed to take full advantage of Windows," said Frank Ingari, vice president of Lotus' Personal Computer Spreadsheet Division. "Our customers can expect a future version of 1- 2-3 specifically designed for Windows version 3.0, in addition to 1-2- 3 Release 3.1, our native DOS application that is compatible with Windows 3.0." For more information, contact Susan Earabino, (617) 225- 1281. Oracle Corporation: "Windows version 3.0 is an important development in the evolving MS-DOS platform," said Edward Oates, vice president Oracle's of desktop products division. "Not only does it provide for a common user look and feel with Presentation Manager, but it opens up MS-DOS to the capabilities of the Intel 286 and 386 architectures. Oracle is developing tools and RDBMS client-server capabilities based upon Windows 3.0 and the expanded role it allows 286/386 workstations to fill. Windows 3.0 also provides a natural migration path to the more powerful OS/2 and Presentation Manager environments." For more information call Ellen Brezniak, (415) 598-7528. Software Publishing Corporation: "Software Publishing Corporation's hallmark has been to provide its customers with powerful, yet easy-to- use software based on our MS-DOS user interface. Now, Windows version 3.0 and OS/2 PM provide the technologically advanced platforms necessary for GUI solutions and will play key roles in our customers' information management strategies," said Fred M. Gibbons, president and CEO of Software Publishing Corporation. "GUI technology provides the potential for Software Publishing Corporation and other software developers to create innovative applications. Software Publishing Corporation has under development Windows-based products in the graphics, document-processing and information-access categories." For more information, contact Nancy Blake, (415) 962-8910. Symantec Corporation: "Our strategy is to provide software applications that support multiple platforms, including MS-DOS, Windows, OS/2 Presentation Manager and Macintosh," said Gordon E. Eubanks, Jr., president and CEO of Symantec Corporation. "Windows version 3.0 is a significant part of our strategy, and we are enthusiastic about the development opportunities it offers." For more information, contact Deanne Berry, (408) 725-2759. WordPerfect Corporation: "Once our customers realized the transition from MS-DOS to OS/2 would take a few years rather than a few months, Windows became an important platform for us. We intend to offer full support for Windows, OS/2 and MS-DOS throughout this period of transition," said Pete Peterson, executive vice president of WordPerfect Corporation. For more information, contact Kathryn Pond- Sargent, (801) 222-4455. Xerox Corporation: "The development of Xerox Ventura Publisher operating under Microsoft Windows version 3.0 clearly demonstrates our firm commitment to the Windows platform as a viable and emerging standard for the 1990s and beyond," said Larry Gerhard, president of Xerox Desktop Software. "Our customers have insisted that we provide the power, ease of use and extended memory support offered with the Windows standard, and we have satisfied their requests by offering both our Ventura Publisher and FormBase products with support for Windows 3.0." For more information, contact Judy Tarabini (Hill and Knowlton), (408) 496-6511. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages and application programs, as well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace. ### Microsoft, MS-DOS and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks, and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.