We are pleased to announce that Microsoft Corporation has acquired the technology assets of Interactive Supercomputing (ISC) and hired many of the ISC team members.  This acquisition represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to parallel computing and high performance computing (HPC) and will bring together complementary technologies that will help simplify the complexity and difficulty of expressing problems that can be parallelized.  Microsoft intends to incorporate key ISC technologies into future versions of Microsoft products, and will provide more information over the coming months on where and how that integration will occur.

Microsoft values your experience in the HPC and parallel computing space.  As the newly acquired technologies emerge in our product roadmap, we would like to discuss opportunities with you to work together.

We also want to ensure that this asset purchase has minimal impact on your business.  On behalf of ISC, until at least 12/31/2010, Microsoft will provide Tier 2 product support for ISC technologies for which you might have received Tier 2 support from ISC in the past. 

We have created a website, called Microsoft Pathways (www.microsoft.com/pathways/star-p), for you to access the Star-P support team as well as the most recent information on the integration of ISC and Microsoft and get answers to “Frequently Asked Questions”.  The FAQ document addresses many of the business questions you may have, so please be sure to review this information.   

ISC CEO Bill Blake and I are excited about the important role ISC technologies will play in the future of Microsoft’s high performance computing and parallel computing technologies and the opportunity to partner with you in this area. Should you have any additional questions, please visit the Microsoft Pathways site to review the most recent information or to get in touch with us.  

You can engage with Microsoft today by participating in Microsoft Windows Server Services rebate program. This worldwide program supports you in delivering the best-possible services and support and gives you an incentive to help customers adopt and deploy Windows HPC Server.  Between July 1 and December 31, 2009, you can easily qualify for up to $200 per cluster on your new Windows HPC Server installations by simply taking advantage of the on-line redemption process. For more information, go to www.serveroffer.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to add your Windows HPC Server revenue to your bottom-line!

1.        How will the acquisition affect ICS partners? 

We value the relationship that you had with ISC and your experience in HPC and parallel computing market place as an ISC partner. As the newly acquired technologies emerge in our future product roadmap, we will be communicating on opportunities to work together in high performance and parallel computing.

We also want to ensure that this asset purchase has the least possible impact on your business.  Microsoft will provide Tier 2 product support for ISC technologies for which you might have received Tier 2 support from ISC in the past.  Microsoft will provide technical support for active Star-P customers through the longer of their existing support contracts or 12/31/2010.  Please direct support requests to Microsoft via http://www.microsoft.com/pathways/star-p.

2.       What happens to Tier 2 customer support my organization used to receive from and through ISC?

Microsoft will provide Tier 2 technical support for Star-P for which you might have received Tier 2 support from ISC in the past.  Microsoft has will provide technical support for Star-P active customers through the longer of their existing support contracts or 12/31/2010.  Please direct support requests to Microsoft via http://www.microsoft.com/pathways/star-p.

3.       How does this acquisition impact my current ISC Partnership (contract, alliance management, etc.)?

Since Microsoft has not acquired ISC’s partner contracts - but has acquired technology assets - your existing ISC alliance management relationships and contracts remain with ISC. 

4.       Can ISC’s customers buy more ISC products?

Current ISC customers received additional use rights prior to the close of the transaction and the Star P product of ISC is no longer for sale. There will not be any future releases of Star P.

5.       How will ISC products be integrated with Microsoft products? What is the roadmap for the combined company?

We have recently begun plans to integrate ISC technologies into future versions of Microsoft products and will provide more information over the coming months on where and how that integration will occur.

6.       Should my organization consider joining the Microsoft Partner Program?

Yes, you should consider joining the Microsoft Partner Program as a first step in partnership with Microsoft.  As the newly acquired technologies emerge in our future product roadmap, we will also be communicating on opportunities to work together work together in high performance and parallel computing.

Please find the Microsoft Partner Program details at https://partner.microsoft.com/ . We also invite you to join Microsoft HPC Partner Newsletter by emailing hpcnws@microsoft.com.

7.       How can I learn more about Microsoft’s HPC partners and partnership opportunities?

We invite you to join Microsoft HPC Partner Newsletter by emailing hpcnws@microsoft.com. Please also visit our website at http://www.microsoft.com/hpc/en/us/partners.aspx.

8.       Why should I be excited about an acquisition by Microsoft?

 Microsoft and ISC share a common vision to make high performance computing and parallel computing accessible to a broader audience than they are today.

Together, we believe we are better positioned to take advantage of emerging technology trends and bring deep innovation in high performance computing and parallel computing to market and bring new business development opportunities to our partners