News release

Compaq Connects More Enterprises than Any Other Vendor with Optimized Microsoft Messaging and Collaboration Solutions on ProLiant Servers

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced that it is connecting more enterprises using optimized Microsoft® messaging and collaboration solutions and Compaq ProLiant™ servers and services than any other vendor. In addition to providing optimized solutions and services on the Microsoft® Exchange™ platform, Compaq now also leads the industry in deployments of Microsoft SharePoint™ Portal server, with more than 75,000 seats worldwide. Additionally, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Datacenter™ Server and Compaq Data Center Program, Compaq also announced a new packaged Enterprise High Availability Cluster solution. These solutions are being demonstrated at Compaq's booth #301 at the Microsoft Exchange Conference Sunday, Sept. 30, through Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 in Orlando.

Through the Compaq/Microsoft FrontLine Partnership, Compaq works closely with Microsoft to provide solutions optimized for Microsoft SharePoint Portal server and Exchange server. These solutions are designed to enable enterprise customers to stay connected reliably and share mission-critical information with key internal and external clients.

"Today's global businesses operate with the view that messaging and collaboration solutions are mission critical," said, Ron Eller, vice president, Solutions, Compaq Industry Standard Server Group. "The long-standing Compaq/Microsoft partnership underlies Compaq's expertise and leadership in delivering customers complete solutions with best-of-breed services and ProLiant server platforms that meet their required levels of availability."

"Compaq's dedication to complete solutions and global services, and its history of making substantial investments in Microsoft software platforms, makes the company an ideal technology vendor for Microsoft .NET solutions and enterprise platforms," said Paul Flessner, senior vice president, .NET Enterprise Servers, Microsoft Corporation. "By jointly investing our best available resources to ensure the highest levels of scalability, reliability, manageability and functionality for these implementations, Microsoft and Compaq will continue to play vital roles in co-developing and delivering business benefits like reduced time-to-market and quicker return on investment."

Mission Critical Messaging and Collaboration

Compaq has utilized its leadership and expertise in messaging and collaboration on ProLiant servers running Exchange to develop and deliver optimized solutions that enable enterprise customers to easily utilize the capabilities of Microsoft SharePoint Portal server. As a result, Compaq Global Services and its business partners have deployed more than 75,000 SharePoint Portal seats on ProLiant servers in addition to more than 14 million Exchange seats. Compaq customers utilizing SharePoint Portal server to share mission-critical information with external and internal clients include the Irish Local Government Computer Services Board, Phillips Medical Services, Suzuki Motors India, Telecom Italia Mobile and Tracy (CA) Unified School District.

New High Availability Solution

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Windows 2000 Datacenter server, enabling customers to stay connected and achieve the highest levels of availability, Compaq is introducing a pre-configured Compaq ProLiant Enterprise Cluster on Windows 2000 Datacenter server. The new ProLiant Data Center solution will provide customers with the backbone upon which they can construct their business infrastructures. The packaged solution features a 4-node cluster of Compaq ProLiant 8500 Data Center servers, StorageWorks™, Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server operating system, and Compaq Global Services for 24x7 support. The Enterprise-Ready Cluster solution is available for a limited time to as part of its celebration of the Datacenter anniversary.

For more information, please visit http://www.compaq.com/datacenter.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq") is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.