J.D. Edwards Expands Alliance With Microsoft, Selects SQL Server as Preferred
OneWorld(R) Certified on Windows 2000; Integrated Storefront Solution to Ship Later in Year
DENVER, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- J.D. Edwards & Company (Nasdaq: JDEC), a leading provider of agile, collaborative solutions for the Internet economy, and Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), the worldwide leader in software for business and personal computing, today announced an expanded global relationship. The strengthened alliance includes the following:
-- Microsoft SQL Server(TM) 2000 as J.D. Edwards' preferred database for
the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) platform
-- Windows 2000 certification of OneWorld(R), making it the first solution
of its kind to earn certification for Microsoft Windows 2000.
-- OneWorld(R) Storefront Integration for Site Server-Commerce Edition 3.0
and the forthcoming Commerce Server 2000, a tightly integrated
storefront solution scheduled to deliver later this year.
"J.D. Edwards' strategy for developing collaborative commerce solutions for the Internet economy requires a flexible, robust and scalable operating system and database that delivers support to our customers' changing B2B requirements with a low total cost of ownership," said Jim Foos, senior vice president of development at J.D. Edwards. "Microsoft's products complement the agility and collaborative capabilities that J.D. Edwards delivers."
SQL Server Chosen as Preferred Database for the Windows Platform
Because of the combination of enterprise-class scalability, availability, industry-leading price/performance, and total cost of ownership offered by SQL Server 2000, J.D. Edwards has selected it as its preferred database for OneWorld Enterprise Software running on the Windows platform.
"Of all J.D. Edwards' non-AS/400 installations, 83% operate in a Windows-based environment," said Foos. "Among Windows-based installations, more than two-thirds of our existing customers have chosen to run on the SQL Server database. These numbers point to the advantages of the Windows and SQL Server combination."
"Microsoft is excited to be working more closely with J.D. Edwards to build best-of-breed, enterprise solutions for our joint customers," said Paul Flessner, vice president, SQL Server and middleware development, Microsoft. "The recent record-setting OneWorld benchmark result achieved on the Windows DNA 2000 platform demonstrates conclusively that Microsoft and J.D. Edwards are capable of supporting business-critical solutions for the largest global e-businesses."
To further ensure optimal compatibility, J.D. Edwards recently created a stress-testing lab devoted to assessing OneWorld capabilities while running SQL Server. At the lab, future releases of OneWorld are tested to ensure the highest levels of scalability and availability. J.D. Edwards has also established and staffed a Competency Center on Microsoft's Redmond, Wash., campus to further the companies' strategic development relationship and allow engineers to successfully test the integration of OneWorld and the Microsoft Windows DNA 2000 platform.
OneWorld Certified for Windows 2000
J.D. Edwards OneWorld has become the first solution of its kind to earn certification for Microsoft Windows 2000. Customers selecting Windows 2000 will benefit from the following:
-- Lower cost of ownership due to easier access for the user and easier
management for the administrator
-- Assurance that applications are reliable, secure, manageable and
designed specifically to fully exploit the new features of Windows 2000
-- Reduced management costs for the IT professional, up to 27% according
to Gartner Group
-- A uniform and consistent user experience (i.e., uniform install,
Active Directory(TM) integration)
OneWorld Storefront Integration for Site Server-Commerce Edition 3.0 and Commerce Server 2000
Scheduled for delivery later this year, J.D. Edwards' OneWorld Storefront Integration for Site Server/Commerce Server 2000 will enable tight integration between OneWorld and Microsoft's storefront products. Additionally, the solution will use Microsoft BizTalk(TM) Server 2000 and MSMQ for reliable, high-performance messaging and will take advantage of Extensible Markup Language (XML) for open, robust data exchange, providing a framework for open and flexible future e-business integration.
Amherst Corporate Computer Sales and Solutions, an early adopter of the J.D. Edwards/Microsoft integrated storefront solution, is witnessing significant benefits deploying the OneWorld Storefront Integration for Site Server to enable its award-winning e-procurement application CustomCommerce(R) 2.5i move further up the supply chain and into their customer's procurement work flow. Using Amherst's Web-powered solution, its customers manage their entire technology buying cycle via the Internet.
"Since we launched CustomCommerce in March of 1999, annualized sales have grown from $210 million to $500 million," said Kevin Hall, chief technology officer at Amherst. "OneWorld Storefront Integration for Site Server is providing us with the capability to connect J.D. Edwards' extended enterprise solution to Microsoft Site Server and BizTalk. The result is a responsive storefront solution that enables us to further lower acquisition costs, provide more reliable on-time delivery, and increase overall customer satisfaction and profitability."
About Amherst
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Merrimack, N.H., Amherst Corporate Computer Sales & Solutions is a leading business-to-business e-seller of IT products, services and information to corporations.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft 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.
About J.D. Edwards
J.D. Edwards is a leading provider of agile, collaborative solutions for the Internet economy. The Company's integrated ActivEra Solutions deliver supply chain collaboration and fulfillment, and enable business-to-business trading communities in the consumer products, industrial and services industries. The Company's solutions are web-enabled and operate in multiple computing environments.
Founded in 1977, J.D. Edwards is headquartered in Denver and posted fiscal 1999 revenues of $944.2 million. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Company via the Internet at www.jdedwards.com or at 800-727-5333.
SOURCE J.D. Edwards & Company
CO: J.D. Edwards & Company; Microsoft Corp.; Amherst Corporate Computer Sales & Solutions
ST: Colorado, Washington, New Hampshire
IN: CPR MLM
SU: CON
06/20/2000 12:00 EDT prnewswire.com |
