Microsoft and Siebel Systems today announced they have signed a strategic agreement to deliver the Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 relational database as a core component of the Siebel Web-based front office application family.
The agreement enables Siebel to package and ship the award-winning SQL Server 7.0 database with Siebel`s market-leading sales, marketing and customer service applications for its nearly 1 000 customers running the Windows NT operating system worldwide and its future customer base. Beginning in July, Siebel Systems will ship its front office applications prepackaged with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, backed by worldwide technical support from both companies. In addition, Siebel Systems will offer a compelling upgrade package for Oracle customers to convert to SQL Server.
"The demand for SQL Server from both our midmarket and large global customers has dramatically increased," said Johann Coetzee, GM Siebel at SPL, part of the Dimension Data Group. "We have found SQL Server 7.0 to offer compelling price/performance and functionality for the Windows NT platform. Our customers tell us that it has exceeded their expectations in ease of use, reliability and scalability. For these reasons, Siebel Systems recommends SQL Server 7.0 to our customers running on Windows NT."
This agreement allows companies to deploy Siebel Systems` sales, marketing and customer service applications with pre-engineered SQL Server optimization. New Siebel customers that purchase the integrated solution will pay substantially less than if they acquired Siebel applications and SQL Server separately. Organizations that standardize on Siebel and SQL Server can be assured that both companies will work together to provide tight integration and optimization between Siebel Front Office Applications and the Microsoft Office and Windows operating system family of products.
"As a leading provider of sales, marketing and customer service solutions, Siebel Systems is a strategic line-of-business partner for us," said Gordon Frazer, customer solutions director at Microsoft South Africa. "We see a tremendous surge among our customers - from small organizations to global enterprise-scale companies - to deploy front office solutions. Through this alliance, Siebel Systems can provide its customers with a total solution that is tightly integrated with the full suite of Microsoft products. Companies of all sizes now have a cost-effective way to deploy Siebel applications and SQL Server quickly and easily."
Microsoft will also provide customer service and support, ensuring that Siebel`s SQL Server customers have the most knowledgeable support professionals assisting them firsthand. Internationally, Siebel and Microsoft have created a Joint Technology Solution Center, located in Redmond, Wash. The center will be staffed by engineers from both Siebel and Microsoft, who will collaborate to ensure optimal performance of Siebel products with the Microsoft platform and technologies.
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Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use; each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Microsoft South Africa was launched in January 1993 in Johannesburg and now has sales offices in Durban and Cape Town.
Siebel Systems
Siebel Systems is the world`s leading supplier of Web-based front office software systems. Siebel Systems provides an integrated family of Web-based sales, marketing and customer service application software for field sales, customer service, telesales, telemarketing, field service, third-party resellers and Internet-based e-commerce and self-service. Siebel Systems products are designed to meet the needs of small, medium-sized and large businesses. Siebel Systems sales and service facilities are deployed locally in over 20 countries and can be reached through the World Wide Web at www.siebel.com.