News

Microsoft Gains Endorsement with Exodus Agreement

• By Scott Bekker
• 04/17/2000

According to the companies, this effort between Exodus (www.exodus.net) and Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) is aimed at providing e-commerce companies with the core network infrastructure and resources they need for acceleration, scalability and growth of new online services.

As one of the first joint initiatives, Microsoft will work with Exodus on a Rapid Deployment Initiative (RDI), enabling companies to deploy their e-commerce sites through a single source. In turn, Exodus will use Microsoft's Cluster Server for NT Enterprise Edition as well as for Windows 2000 Advanced Server.

Exodus will provide the network infrastructure for preconfigured equipment in multiple Internet data centers worldwide, along with managed and professional services. Not surprisingly, Microsoft will provide the platform and applications, including Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000, as well as Microsoft Cluster Server for Windows NT Enterprise Edition and Windows 2000 Advanced Server.

Zona Research Inc. (www.zonaresearch.com) issued a report in reaction to the announcement saying that most companies form partnerships with Microsoft to gain credibility.

"This announcement goes the other way around, and is scored as a big credibility win for Microsoft's Windows 2000 Advanced Server architecture," the report says.

The report points out that Windows NT was not considered stable enough for large data centers. But Exodus' use of Windows 2000 is an endorsement that the server is "ready for prime time."

In addition to the RDI, Microsoft and Exodus plan to collaborate on a number of joint marketing programs throughout the next year. - Thomas Sullivan