News

Big Blue Backs Windows 2000

• By Scott Bekker
• 04/20/1999

Located in the same campus that houses IBM development labs for Microsoft products, the new briefing center will allow customers and partners real-world tours of IBM’s solutions available today for Windows NT and in the future for Windows 2000.

"This center is a way to show customers the integration of high end technology from other parts of our company that we're introducing to the Windows market," says Phil Hester, vice president of systems and technology, IBM Personal Systems Group.

A centerpiece of the facility is a Windows 2000 lab that can simulate a customer's environment so it can be optimized to ensure reliability, security and horsepower.

Additionally, IBM has formed the Enterprise Deployment Partnership Program for Windows 2000 beta testing program for target accounts worldwide who plan to be early adopters of Microsoft Windows 2000.

"We support beta 3 from the hardware, software and services standpoint, even though at this time we are not shipping any machines with the beta preloaded," says Dick Sullivan, vice president of IBM’s integrated solution group. "Our servers have been certified for beta 3, and we’ll work with it and support it not only on the server but also on the client."

IBM’s support for Window 2000 beta 3 evaluations includes dedicated help center resources, project management teams, global consulting services and Web-based technical information. IBM will also distribute Microsoft's Corporate Preview Program kits with additional IBM information and support. – Thomas Sullivan