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Microsoft Unveils Next-Generation Commerce Server Technology


WEBWIRE

Commerce Server 2006 Beta 1 is available for download; company details product features and availability.

REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 20, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to deliver the beta version of Microsoft® Commerce Server 2006, the leading Microsoft .NET-based solution for e-commerce sites designed to radically simplify the creation of full-featured Web sites. In beta release today, the product is scheduled to be released in July 2006.

With the release of Commerce Server 2006, customers will be able to link their e-commerce solutions to their existing line-of-business applications and trading partners through integration with Microsoft BizTalk® Server 2006 and its broad portfolio of adapters, such as those from SAP AG and Oracle Corp. In addition, Commerce Server 2006 will jump-start e-commerce deployments via a new production-ready starter site and help customers build e-commerce solutions based on Web services and service-oriented architectures through tight integration with the latest Web development technologies such as ASP.NET 2.0.

“We needed to improve order and self-service capabilities for our customers on the Web,” said Jeff Lynch, e-commerce manager at Gulf Coast Seal Ltd. “Commerce Server 2006 enabled us not only to quickly build and deploy our site but also integrate it with our existing ERP and line-of-business systems. This seamless integration enables our customers to place their orders and check inventory availability and order status on the Web simply and accurately.”

Although still in beta, Commerce Server 2006 includes significant new capabilities for all levels of e-commerce solutions:
• Connectivity through BizTalk Server. Built-in BizTalk Server adapters greatly ease integration with existing line-of-business applications and trading partners.
• Out-of-the-box starter site. The new starter site capabilities in Commerce Server 2006 provide customers with a blueprint for building core e-commerce solutions. Capabilities include catalog browsing, searching, shopping cart, checking out, profile management and personalization.
• Globalization support. The starter site also includes multilingual and multicurrency support to enable customers to create a global presence.
• Business user tools. New tools such as Customer and Order Manager, Catalog Manager, Marketing Manager, and Reports and Analytics help business users directly interact with their e-commerce sites. Using the familiar look and feel of Microsoft Windows®, these new task-based interfaces and wizards help customers lower maintenance costs, accelerate site updates, and capture increased revenue.
• Business analytics. Customers can customize and expand reports with full life-cycle management using Microsoft SQL Server™ Reporting Services and can view business data with deep insight using Commerce Server 2006’s powerful business intelligence functions.
• Performance and availability. Significant performance and scalability enhancements such as native 32- and 64-bit support, integrated staging functionality, and support for server clustering allow customers to build robust, enterprise-level solutions.

“By providing tighter integration with BizTalk Server 2006, SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio® 2005, Commerce Server 2006 enables customers to reduce costs and accelerate revenue growth through automated delivery of online services and products,” said Steven Martin, director of the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft. “Commerce Server 2006 enables new and existing customers to use the latest Microsoft technologies and thereby enjoy all the benefits of the latest generation of the Microsoft application platform.”

Availability

Microsoft Commerce Server 2006 Beta is available on Microsoft Connect. Sign-up instructions are available online at www.microsoft.com/commerceserver/evaluation/2006/beta.mspx Commerce Server 2006 is schedule to be released in July 2006. Pricing and licensing details will be available at a later date.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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