REDMOND, Wash. - March 31, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that Microsoft^® Internet Explorer 5 is the first commercially available browser software to support the Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 recommendation developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). XML provides a universal language for data interchange and powers a new generation of data-driven applications such as consumer and business-to-business electronic commerce, enterprise application integration and interoperability across disparate systems, data sources and business processes. Complete XML support in the Microsoft Windows^® operating system lets developers focus on building great applications, as opposed to spending time implementing their own XML infrastructure.

"As a co-founder of the W3C XML working group and a leading provider of XML technologies in the industry, Microsoft views XML as the language of choice for building data-driven applications," said Tod Nielsen, vice president of the developer division at Microsoft. "We are delighted to see developers already taking advantage of the powerful, standards-based XML support in the Microsoft Windows platform, which enables them to focus on what they do best - creating powerful Web-enabled applications and tools for their customers."

Internet Explorer 5 is the only shipping browser with complete support for XML 1.0. Further, Internet Explorer is the first and only shipping browser to support a wide variety of other XML technologies, including a subset of the Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) W3C working draft, the XML Document Object Model (DOM), the XML Namespaces 1.0 Recommendation and a technology preview for advanced XML schemas. By making these technologies an integral part of the Windows operating system, developers and end users can count on widely available, consistent and complete support for XML. Further, this implementation makes XML easily accessible to developers, regardless of their programming language choice.

Leading ISVs Choose Internet Explorer for Innovative Software Applications

Thousands of software developers are already taking advantage of the XML technologies in Internet Explorer 5 to build new data-driven applications. Among the vendors using Microsoft's XML support to build new tools and applications are Aeneid Corp., Extensibility Inc., Interleaf Inc., Object Design Inc. and Sequoia Software Corp.:

• Aeneid uses Internet Explorer XML technologies in its Aeneid Aggregation Platform, which integrates proprietary data with industry-specific Internet information in a single, scalable and secure environment for users. "Aeneid has been in the forefront of implementing XML solutions for data exchange. With the release of Internet Explorer 5, Microsoft has taken XML support to the next level," said Bob Ainsbury, chief technology officer of Aeneid. "Information publishers who support Internet Explorer 5 and use the Aeneid Aggregation Platform will have additional flexibility and improved performance for exchanging and viewing Internet content."
• Extensibility supports Internet Explorer 5 XML technologies in its schema design tool, XML Authority. "Internet Explorer 5's industry-leading support for XML gives Internet professionals an unparalleled platform for information repurposing and multiplexing," said Reid Conrad, chief executive officer of Extensibility. "Its advanced XML schema implementation will enable a new class of Web applications and interactive documents to emerge. By supporting Microsoft XML technologies, our schema design tool, XML Authority, gives users a head start in creating cutting-edge Internet solutions."
• Interleaf uses Internet Explorer 5 support for native viewing of XML with its enterprise content management solution, BladeRunner. "Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 is the catalyst that will drive XML to the desktop," said Jaime Ellertson, president and chief executive officer of Interleaf. "Our customers require it to view native XML from our BladeRunner e-content solution."
• Object Design uses Internet Explorer 5 XML technologies in its XML data server, eXcelon. "Internet Explorer 5 is the most significant development to date in the emergence of XML as a data standard because now companies can build applications that exploit XML both on the server and on the client," said Larry Alston, vice president of marketing for Object Design. "Combined with Object Design's eXcelon XML data server, Internet Explorer 5 will spawn a new generation of data-driven Web sites that will revolutionize electronic commerce on the Internet."
• Sequoia Software uses Internet Explorer 5 XML technologies in the development of its Interchange2000 product line, the only Microsoft BackOffice^® family-certified portal development software that is powered completely by XML. "The Microsoft XML technologies available with Internet Explorer 5 enable Sequoia's Portal Development Software product, i2K, to process XML documents faster than previously possible," said Mark Wesker, president of Sequoia Software. "In addition, Internet Explorer 5 supports the most recent XSL working draft, which allows for improved styling functionality. Our customers' use of Internet Explorer 5 serves to enhance the benefits our portal development software delivers."

XML Used Widely in Microsoft Technologies

XML is an integral part of the Microsoft Windows Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) architecture for data delivery and exchange between multiple tiers. Windows DNA architecture specifies how to develop robust, flexible, scalable, reliable and interoperable distributed applications using the Windows platform; extend existing data and external applications to support the Internet; and support a wide range of client devices maximizing the reach of an application.

Microsoft's recently announced BizTalk electronic commerce framework will also be based on XML standards. BizTalk makes it easy for businesses to integrate applications and conduct business over the Internet with trading partners and customers. Microsoft also plans to incorporate the BizTalk schema into the Microsoft Commerce Platform, initiatives for the MSN™ network of Internet services, and future versions of Office, the BackOffice family and the Windows family of operating systems.

Additional Information

Comprehensive XML reference materials, tutorials and technical support from Microsoft can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/xml/. Internet Explorer 5 can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm.

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