Microsoft Canada Co. Takes SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006 on the Road

Record number of Canadian customers and technology partners to participate in cross-country tour to demonstrate business value of new solutions

MISSISSAUGA, ON, November 7, 2005 - Microsoft Canada Co. will kick off its Canada-wide launch tour for SQL Server™ 2005, Visual Studio® 2005 and BizTalk® Server 2006. Starting in Toronto on November 8, the tour will stop in 10 major Canadian cities over the month of November and December. At each tour stop, customers and technology partners will have the opportunity to learn how they can leverage Microsoft-based solutions to build connected systems and applications to help make better decisions faster.

With over 13,000 customers signed up for sessions across Canada, the tour has set a new record before it has even begun. In addition, there are more than 26 technology partner sponsors, making it the largest technology partner tour for Microsoft Canada. HP and Intel Corporation are serving as the tour's platinum sponsors with gold sponsorship from organizations that include Dell, Fujitsu, Panorama, Polar Bear and Unisys.

"The support from technology partners for the launch tour has been phenomenal," said Jeff Zado, senior product manager, developer tools, Microsoft Canada. "The record participation of technology partners and solutions providers is a testament to the high level of industry support for SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006. We look forward to working with the technology partner ecosystem to develop and implement business-critical applications for the Canadian market."

In each city, customers will have the opportunity to spend a day learning how the tight integration between SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005, BizTalk Server 2006, and the .NET Framework 2.0 offers a compelling platform for building mission-critical service-oriented applications to help drive business forward. Sessions will focus on the new enhancements in the Microsoft Application Platform and the features and capabilities that are designed to assist organizations in meeting their IT objectives.

"The unparalleled registration for this event demonstrates the excitement for Microsoft's application development and data management platform within the Canadian market," said David McJannet, senior product manager, SQL Server, Microsoft Canada. "The launch of these solutions demonstrates how Microsoft is providing Canadian enterprises with the ability to build robust and scalable applications to help gain increased business insight."

"The release of an integrated development and data management platform is a core requirement for Canadian customers," said David Gendron, Microsoft Alliance manager, Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. "We look forward to continue working with Microsoft to offer our enterprise customers using Windows® exciting new solutions that can help them achieve increased agility and make faster business decisions. In fact, we are already noting tremendous support for these solutions from early adopter customers such as TD Canada Trust."

"Intel is committed to providing customers with technology that improves a company's operational efficiency at an affordable cost," said Doug Cooper, country manager, Intel of Canada Ltd. "Intel and Microsoft are working together to create innovative, higher performing, and cost-effective software and hardware solutions to address the unique needs of IT. Microsoft applications utilizing Intel Architecture can help businesses improve productivity, reduce complexity and decrease support costs, which may ultimately lead to an increase in business opportunities."

Events will be held in cities across Canada on the following days:

About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca

©2005 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft, SQL Server, Visual Studio and BizTalk are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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