For Immediate Release
Feb. 13, 1996

Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Beta Builds on Success

Upgrade Eases Application Development, System Management and Internet Integration

REDMOND, Wash. - Feb. 13, 1996 - Microsoft Corp. today confirmed that the beta release of its relational database management system, Microsoft® SQL Server™ version 6.5, adds new features that significantly improve throughput, scalability and ease-of-use, once again raising the bar on distributed client-server computing.

The 6.5 upgrade builds on the record-setting performance that earned Microsoft SQL Server version 6.0 the enterprise client-server database Product of the Year Award (InfoWorld) and 11 Best of Class awards from other publications.

Although Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 did not officially enter beta testing until January, early beta code was instrumental in setting TPC-C™ benchmark records for the Windows NT™ platform in December (3194 tpmC and $196/tpmC).

"In addition to enhancing performance, we've made it easier than ever for our customers to publish and subscribe to information anywhere, at any time, including on the Internet," said Gary Voth, group product manager for Microsoft. "Whether customers are building bigger systems, setting up Internet and intranet infrastructures, or creating data warehouses, Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 is the powerful, scalable, affordable solution that allows them to do it on industry-standard hardware."

New Features for Building and Administering Distributed Systems
Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 features a number of technology and programming enhancements that give developers the flexibility to write open, scalable applications that won't lock them into proprietary solutions. Database administrators will appreciate the increased functionality and simplicity of the administrative tools. The following new features and capabilities are included in Microsoft SQL Server 6.5:

Distributed transaction coordinator (DTC) guarantees transaction integrity across multiple Microsoft SQL Server systems (transparent two-phase commit).
Heterogeneous replication to ODBC clients makes it easier to exchange data with other databases across the enterprise, including IBM(r) DB2(r), Oracle(r), Sybase(r) and Microsoft Access.
Web Assistant automatically delivers Microsoft SQL Server data, formatted in hypertext markup language (HTML), to a World Wide Web server.
DBA Assistant automates routine maintenance tasks such as data backup, consistency checks and statistic updates, with an easy-to-use graphical user interface.
Enhancements for data warehousing make it easier to build rich analysis solutions through new online analytical processing (OLAP) query extensions such as CUBE and ROLLUP, as well as improved support for materialized views and very large databases (VLDBs).
Compliance with industry standards (ANSI SQL-92, FIPS 127-2, XA and SNMP MIB) assures customers that Microsoft SQL Server meets government and industry requirements for openness and interoperability.

"Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 gives us the tools to deliver the rich, full-featured applications our customers have come to expect," said Jeff Kyser, senior systems architect of Stanford Business Systems, a division of Kurt Salmon Associates. "We're already seeing how DTC and Internet integration can help us deliver a new class of distributed business applications to our customers." Stanford Business Systems is an authorized Microsoft Solution Provider.

Internet Integration Provides Easy, Inexpensive On-Ramp to the Web
Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 was designed with the Internet in mind. Combined with the Internet Database Connector built into Microsoft Internet Information Server, Microsoft SQL Server's Web Assistant makes it easy to create interactive, database-driven Web sites with automated information content. Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 generates HTML files based on Transact-SQL queries, stored procedures, or extended stored procedures. The result might be an up-to-the-minute price list distributed on a public Web page, or a scheduled management report distributed on an internal intranet.

The Microsoft SQL Server Internet Connector, also announced this week, offers a cost-effective flat-fee license that allows unlimited Web-based access to Microsoft SQL Server.

Pricing and Availability
Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 1996; pricing and packaging have yet to be determined.

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.

Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft in the United States and/or other countries.
TPC-C is a trademark of the Transaction Processing Performance Council.
IBM and DB2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corp.
SYBASE is a registered trademark of Sybase Inc.

For More Information, Press Only:
Lucy Allison, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 245-0905
Catherine Merten, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 245-0905

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