Future Office and Future Home displays show the power of integration between Microsoft Windows platforms, partner solutions and hardware

Dubai, 3rd October 2004: Microsoft is bringing the future of office and home technology to visitors at Gitex this year. The Microsoft stand, C9-1 Sheikh Rashid Hall, celebrates the Windows Experience, with a showcase zone where Microsoft and its partners are demonstrating how integrated Microsoft technologies are able to create powerful solutions for the home and for work.

The showcase comprises two areas, one for office solutions and one for the home. Each zone includes integrated solutions based on technology from Microsoft and its partners, that demonstrate how Microsoft Windows provides the platform to create innovative new environments for a connected world.

"The solution that we are showing on the stand is really a demonstration of how Microsoft's commitment to innovation, to open standards and to working with partners in making some very exciting scenarios possible. The Windows Experience is about ensuring that the value of the Microsoft platform is greater than the sum of its components - by integrating hardware and software we are creating business solutions, home automation and enhanced entertainment systems," said Mazen Shehadeh, Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft South Gulf.

The future home area recreates a digital living room, to demonstrate some of the solutions that are available for home automation and digital entertainment. The display centers around Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft's operating system for multimedia PCs, including models from Everex and Niveus Media, which will be on display. The home area also includes the ConvergeX Home Automation Platform, a powerful Microsoft .NET-based home automation solution, which enables users to control aspects of their home such as lighting, security and air conditioning through a single control pad, or even remotely using a Windows Mobile device. The ConvergeX platform can also be used to integrate home entertainment devices, and can act as a home audio and video controller for the whole house. Windows Media High Definition Video, the recently approved video standard for HD-DVD and Blue-Ray Discs, is matched with Samsung's new 46-inch high definition LCD TV to demonstrate 1080p HD Video for the first time in the region. The new Creative Zen Portable Media Center is also on display.

The future office display is focused on the Microsoft Windows mobility solutions, and demonstrations of how operating systems such as Windows XP Tablet edition 2005 and Windows Mobile 2003 are enabling organizations to access data as and when they need to. The solutions feature hardware from a number of Microsoft partners, including Everex, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, i-mate, Motorola and Samsung.

"The Microsoft .Net platform and our adherence to industry standards mean that with Windows we have a very powerful and flexible platform that can be extended to mobile devices, and that can be integrated with business applications to create solutions that can create business advantage. The synergy between hardware and software is what provides customers with a seamless computing experience, making the technology in their lives work as a connected whole," Shehadah said. 

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About Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East office in 1991. Microsoft today has five subsidiaries in the Middle East region: Microsoft South Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in the UAE, Oman, Yemen and Pakistan, Microsoft North Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, Microsoft Arabia covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Microsoft East Med covering, Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Malta and Microsoft Egypt. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast

For further information contact:
Microsoft contact:
Malek Bayaa
Microsoft South Gulf
Dubai, United Arab Emirates            
Tel: 00-9714-3917000
Fax: 00-9714-3917001              

Media contact:
Mark Sutton
ASDA'A Public Relations
Tel: 00-9714-3344550
Fax: 00-9714-3344556
Email: m.sutton@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2004