Automotive group migrates more than 180,000 computer workstations to Microsoft solution.

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 2, 2010 — (PRNewswire) — Microsoft Corp. has won another key customer with its collaboration platform and cloud solution. Following an evaluation phase, Daimler AG decided to migrate onto Microsoft's unified communications, messaging and collaboration solutions. Staff members at Daimler AG now communicate and collaborate more efficiently by using Microsoft technology.

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The Microsoft solution helps ensure the highly secure and simple exchange of documents — even beyond organizational boundaries — by including ad-hoc communications, conferencing and traditional e-mail communications in one solution. The specification set by Daimler AG was to reduce the ever-increasing complexity of PC workstations and build a communication and collaboration architecture that will meet the requirements of future working processes. The Microsoft platform with Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and Microsoft SharePoint 2010 helps meet these requirements. In the future, 180,000 Daimler employees worldwide will communicate and collaborate using Microsoft technology through e-mail, instant messaging or web conferences.

"We want to help our automotive customers worldwide transcend the market's turbulence and use technology and innovation as powerful tools to drive profitable growth," said Simon Witts, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Enterprise and Partner Group. "Our commitment to this key industry is unwavering, and our excitement is high as we anticipate the evolution path of today's vehicles."

Building a Private Cloud

For Daimler AG, a key to the launch of a new communications platform was achieving a high degree of standardization and scalability throughout its IT services. Another challenge was creating an open communications platform that also supports fast communication for partners while taking into account the need for protecting intellectual property. Daimler will use a service provider to support its infrastructure via a private cloud.

"We convinced Daimler of the added value of our technology," said Ralph Haupter, chairman of the Management Board of Microsoft Deutschland GmbH. "The project emphasizes that the cloud has already been adopted by businesses and today's discussion is about specific business scenarios."

This significant new customer enables Microsoft to further expand its market share in Germany.

About Microsoft in Automotive

Microsoft has been working with the automotive industry for more than a decade. The Microsoft Automotive and Industrial Equipment vertical works with industry partners to develop solutions based on Microsoft technologies that enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers and customers to help improve efficiency, effectiveness and knowledge across the business. Business applications, Microsoft .NET Framework-based technologies and enterprise platform support help manufacturers accelerate time to market, collaborate globally with engineers, reduce costs by leveraging the power of the Internet, and increase visibility into their production and supply chain processes. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/automotive.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

Contact:

Microsoft Corp. Daimler AG Wendy Grover of Microsoft Corp. Phone: +1-425-705-7609 Email Contact Chris McManus of NarratePR Phone: +1-718-832-9154 Email Contact for Microsoft Corp. Web: http://www.microsoft.com