Dow Jones Newswires -- May 15, 2000
Dow Jones Newswires
PRESS RELEASE: Microsoft, Carta In E-Government
Alliance
Dow Jones Newswires
Microsoft and Carta Form Alliance to Deliver E-Government Solutions
Collaboration Helps Government Take Advantage of the Internet to Provide
Services for Businesses and Citizens
REDMOND, Wash., and SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) and Carta Inc. today announced that they have formed an alliance to provide
solutions for the growing national e-government market. The companies will produce an advanced
software and services solution for governments, powered by the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) DNA
2000 platform and expanding on Carta's nationally recognized family of e-government solutions.
Together, Microsoft and Carta will make it possible for all levels of government to operate more
efficiently by moving some of their services online, allowing them to develop easy-to-navigate Web
portals that give businesses and citizens access to government information, services and
transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Under the new agreement, Carta and Microsoft will join forces in such key areas as marketing and
business development and jointly develop innovative solutions for the e-government market based
on input from government clients.
"This collaboration will give governments the core technology they need to provide online services
while integrating seamlessly with existing systems," said Charles Stevens, vice president of the
Enterprise Partner Group at Microsoft. "By leveraging the performance and cost-effectiveness of
Microsoft technology and Carta's deep understanding of e-government solutions, any government
can use the Internet to improve its efficiency and flow of information."
The two companies will continue to work closely with governments to deliver Web-based solutions
that leverage the increased interoperability and the time to market delivered through the Microsoft
Windows DNA 2000 platform.
"While this alliance provides advantages for both companies, the real benefits will be seen by
governments and citizens, who are anxious to realize the full benefits of the Internet," said Chris
Roberts, the president and CEO of Carta, a Sacramento-based e-government solutions company.
"Microsoft and Carta make an excellent team."
Today's announcement represents a natural extension of a relationship between the two companies
dating back to 1996. Since that time, Carta has successfully combined its comprehensive
approach, which integrates its expertise in strategy, design and technology, with the Windows
DNA platform for the benefit of government and citizens. This collaboration has also resulted in the
ability of state and local governments to deploy sophisticated Web sites quickly and easily.
"This agreement between Carta and Microsoft will help us build on our track record of excellence,"
Roberts said. "In the very near future, governments can expect to see an array of innovative
e-government solutions designed to help them take advantage of the Internet." |
