REDMOND, Wash. - March 14, 1996 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that its award-winning desktop database, Microsoft® Access for the Windows® 95 operating system, will support the Microsoft Internet Control Pack. The Internet Control Pack, now available in beta, was jointly developed with NetManage Inc. and was announced by Microsoft earlier this week. It is a package of six ActiveX™ Controls that add Internet functionality to custom applications and solutions developed with tools such as Microsoft Access via standardized, reusable 32-bit components.

Using controls from the Internet Control Pack, a developer can extend Microsoft
Access 95-based applications with Internet functionality. For example, developers can add browserlike functionality to a Microsoft Access-based solution with database information and Web information coexisting on a Microsoft Access-based form. Applications can be created that store key words for Web sites, comments and a history of sites visited. Users can then use Microsoft Access to search this data and view selected sites instantly in the context of their Microsoft Access-based form. "Live data," such as financial information, traffic data, and other real-time information, can be added to a Microsoft Access-based solution for dynamic, up-to-the-minute data gathering, storage, reporting and analysis. Customers have asked for tools that allow them to integrate and extend existing business solutions to the Internet; the combination of Microsoft Access and the Internet Control Pack gives customers that capability.

"Building solutions that integrate well with the Internet is becoming increasingly important for developers working with Microsoft Access," said Tod Nielsen, general manager of the Microsoft Access business unit at Microsoft. "We believe that the Internet Control Pack will be yet another tool that developers can use in creating highly productive business solutions for their customers. Supporting the Internet Control Pack underscores Microsoft's commitment to innovation in the area of desktop database applications and the Internet."

Microsoft Access and Internet Integration

In addition to the Internet Control Pack, Microsoft provides Microsoft Access developers integration with the Internet through the Microsoft Internet Information Server and an active World Wide Web site. Microsoft Internet Information Server contains the Internet Database Connector, which enables developers to connect Web users to databases, including Microsoft Access databases. This technology is being used in a variety of applications to publish information, provide database querying capabilities, and collect information from users and customers. The combination of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Internet Information Server provides a versatile platform for intranet applications, small and medium-sized Internet sites, and prototyping for large Internet sites.

Developers working with Microsoft Access can find the latest information on Microsoft Access on the Web at http://www.microsoft.com/accessdev. The Web site is updated weekly with new product information, technical information, case studies and sample databases, and contains a new feature article every month. A search page allows developers seeking specific information to find it quickly on the Web at the Microsoft Access site or the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com).

Pricing and Availability

The Internet Control Pack beta is available now and can be downloaded from the Web at http://www.microsoft.com/icp at no cost.

The Microsoft Access Developers Toolkit is available for approximately $499. A $100 rebate coupon is available to licensed users of the Microsoft Access Developers Toolkit
version 2.0.

Microsoft Access 95 is available for approximately $339 with an upgrade available for approximately $129. It also is included in Microsoft Office Professional for Windows 95. Microsoft Office 95 is available for approximately $599.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

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