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Microsoft Unveils Beta Version of Host Integration Server 2004 Solution Integrates Mission

Posted on: Monday, 15 December 2003, 06:00 CST

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced beta availability of the newest version of its industry-leading legacy integration solution, Host Integration Server (HIS) 2004, part of Microsoft(R) Windows Server System(TM). With innovative support for XML Web services, Visual Studio(R) .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework, HIS 2004 represents a significant advance for customers seeking to connect to their IBM mainframe and midrange systems in a more cost-effective, industry-standard and efficient manner. Host Integration Server 2004 will include enhanced features for securing cross-platform access and will offer improved application and data integration capabilities, giving enterprise developers and administrators a complete, seamless host integration experience.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"Today the challenge for customers is that the solutions on the market do not efficiently support a services-oriented architecture approach to legacy integration," said David Kiker, general manager for E-Business Servers at Microsoft. "With Host Integration Server 2004, we are reducing the complexity of our customers' infrastructure, enabling greater interoperability, and providing them with a standards-based solution to link information from mainframe and midrange computers to partners and customers through XML Web services. This is another way our e-business customers can achieve value from their IT systems."

New Features Aimed at Lowering Development Costs and Improving Time to Market

Scheduled for release to customers by mid-2004, Host Integration Server 2004 will provide customers with new tools aimed at reducing the cost of developing and deploying legacy integration solutions, thereby dramatically shortening a customer's time to market for new host integration projects. The new tools include the following:

-- Support for industry-standard HRP/IP protocol. Host Integration Server

2004 will include an IP-DLC link service, a feature set developed

jointly by Microsoft and Data Connection Ltd. This functionality

provides connectivity for Systems Network Architecture applications

across a routable Internet protocol (IP) network by supporting the

industry-popular HPR/IP (high-performance routing over IP). This

enables customers to simplify their network infrastructure and connect

more seamlessly to OS/390 and z/OS mainframes.

-- Extended application integration. Through innovative integration with

the .NET Framework and Visual Studio .NET, the new Transaction

Integrator (TI) enables Windows(R)-based computers to extend the

functionality of existing IBM mainframe and IBM midrange AS/400

line-of-business applications. The new TI Designer allows developers to

wrap existing line-of-business applications, such as Customer

Information Control System (CICS) and Information Management System

(IMS), as .NET client components. In addition, TI offers host-initiated

processing that allows a Windows Server(TM)-based computer to function

as a "peer" to IBM mainframe and AS/400 computers, thereby allowing

customers to migrate portions of their line-of-business solutions onto

the Microsoft Windows platform.

-- Improved data integration. HIS 2004 offers customers improved tools to

integrate vital data from line-of-business data sources using

industry-standard ODBC, Component Object Model-based OLE DB, or .NET

Framework-enabled Data Providers for DB2, as well as an OLE DB Provider

for AS/400 and mainframe file systems. HIS 2004 will offer reliable

two-phase commit distributed transactions over TCP/IP to DB2 running on

most popular computing platforms, plus an intuitive new data access

tool allowing administrators and developers to easily create and manage

connections to DB2 and host file systems.

-- Enhanced security. New support for secure sockets layer (SSL) and

transport layer security (TLS) will help improve network security for

customers accessing mainframe terminal and printer resources via the

HIS 2004 TN3270 service.

Building on the success of Microsoft SNA Server 4.0 and Host Integration Server 2000, HIS 2004 will provide enterprise organizations with essential technologies for integrating their mission-critical host applications, data sources, messaging and security systems with new solutions developed using the Microsoft Windows platform.

About Windows Server System

Microsoft Windows Server System is an integrated and interoperable server infrastructure that reduces IT complexity to enable IT professionals to deliver innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of business. With Windows Server 2003 at the foundation, Windows Server System is engineered from the ground up for XML Web services based on Microsoft .NET technologies to connect information, people, systems and devices. Based on a common software architecture that spans all facets of IT from design, development and deployment through ongoing management and usage, Windows Server System provides comprehensive IT infrastructure for operations (security, systems management, networked storage), applications (data management and analysis, e-business), and information work (messaging, communications and collaboration). More information on Microsoft Windows Server System can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/ .

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.

NOTE: Microsoft, Windows Server System, Visual Studio, Windows and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Pearson Cummings, +1-503-443-7000, or pearsonc@wagged.com, orRapid Response Team, +1-503-443-7070, or rrt@wagged.com, both of WaggenerEdstrom, for Microsoft

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

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