Microsoft Windows NT Server Leading Network Operating System for Medium-sized Canadian Businesses

Microsoft Windows NT Server Leading Network Operating System for Medium-sized Canadian Businesses

Mississauga, Ont. - February 18, 1999 - Microsoft Windows NT Server is the leading network operating system in Canadian companies, a new study by the Angus Reid Group reveals. The study, released today, found that 46% of medium-sized organizations use Windows NT Server. Those who use it, use it primarily for file and print, application, database and communications services. Forty per cent (40%) of those surveyed use Novell while only 16% use UNIX.

"Windows NT Server is the number one choice for most Canadian companies," said Ceasar Pacheco, vice president, Information Technology & Interactive Research, Angus Reid Group. "Our survey shows that organizations are choosing NT Server for its ease-of-use and compatibility with existing technology."

More organizations plan to move to Windows NT Server within the next year. According to the study, 20% of medium-sized companies plan to install a different network server platform. Of those, 71% said they will switch to Windows NT Server for their primary network operating system. Reasons for moving to Windows NT Server included the desire to stay up-to-date, the need for compatibility and Year 2000 readiness.

"At Trimark, we moved to Windows NT Server because it delivers better overall support and security, allowing us to deliver information to our financial advisors where and when they need it," said Brian Deegan, vice president, Information Systems, Trimark Investment Management Inc. "Windows NT Server gives us so many more options - better security and access to a wealth of applications optimized for the NT platform."

Windows NT Server is a highly scalable, reliable and available operating system that meets the requirements of businesses of all sizes for data management, messaging, transaction processing, Internet services, mission-critical applications and file and print infrastructure. Supported by a significant majority of the world's systems providers, Windows NT Server offers businesses an integrated, multipurpose and cost-effective operating system.

"Canadian organizations are looking for a reliable, manageable server platform that will help keep their IT overhead low. We're excited to see so many Canadian companies adopting Windows NT Server," said Erik Moll, product manager, Windows NT Server, Microsoft Canada. "As a multi-purpose network operating system, Windows NT Server enables companies to run all aspects of their business, now and into the new millennium."

Windows NT Server 4.0 extends far beyond fast and easy file and print services to create a rich platform for intranet and line of business applications, and provides a superior management foundation and a strong set of communications technologies. Best of Class services means that customers get more features and better performance at a lower price and lower overall cost of ownership. Besides reducing network complexity and training costs, a multipurpose server operating system enables customers to more fully utilize their operating systems. When combined with Microsoft Systems Management Server, NT Server 4.0 customers have a powerful, highly-manageable network operating system environment.

"Windows NT Server 4.0 solutions, running on Compaq ProLiant Servers, continue to exceed customer expectations for performance and reliability," says Todd Mottershead, product manager, Industry-Standard Servers & Options, Enterprise Systems & Solutions, Compaq Canada Inc. " With more than 2,300 Windows NT Service Professionals worldwide, Compaq is working diligently to support customer transitions to Windows NT 4.0 environments. Confirming the reliability of Compaq ProLiant technologies with Window NT 4.0 Server, Compaq now offers a 99.9 per cent uptime guarantee for selected clusters and configurations."

Windows NT Server has a solid history of running mission critical applications at businesses of all sizes. In its five-year history, Windows NT Server has gathered tremendous industry support: More than 4000 applications are available for the platform and 650 of those are integrated with directory and security services. Approximately a quarter of a million Microsoft Certified Professionals have been trained to install, configure, and support Windows NT Server, and an equal number of developers use Active Server Pages for web-based applications. Hardware, software, and service vendors have also invested heavily and created a broad infrastructure around Windows NT Server.

The Angus Reid Group studied the network operating system inventory in 800 medium-sized Canadian companies, defined as organizations with 100 to 1000 employees. Interviews were conducted in two waves between September 11th and October 23rd, 1998. Each wave consisted of 400 completed interviews conducted with IT decision-makers within medium sized organizations. With a total sample of 800, one can say with 95% certainty (19 times out of 20) that the overall survey results are accurate to within +/- 3.5% of what they would have been had the entire sample population been surveyed.

For further information, please contact:

Microsoft Canada Co.
Erik Moll
(905) 568-0434 ext.4526

Hill and Knowlton
Jennifer Foulds
(416) 413-4646
[email protected]

The Angus Reid Group
Ceasar Pacheco
(416) 324-2900