Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 Makes Information Sharing Easier
New York -- October 27, 1992 -- (Business Wire) -- Microsoft Corporation Tuesday announced the worldwide availability of the Microsoft Windows for Workgroups operating system with integrated networking version 3.1, a major new release of the Windows operating system that makes it easy for people to share information and work together.
Windows for Workgroups integrates networking and workgroup functionality directly into the Windows 3.1 operating system. The common activities of sending electronic mail (email), scheduling group meetings, sharing files and printers, managing calendars and working together on group projects are made easy with Windows for Workgroups. The product can provide networking capabilities on its own, or it can be used as a client on an existing local area network.
The product is available today worldwide in seven languages; four additional languages will be available by the end of 1992. It will be preinstalled by at least 40 major computer manufacturers. More than 100 independent software and hardware vendors have already developed products to support the new features in Windows for Workgroups.
Additionally, there are thousands of off-the-shelf, Windows- and MS-DOS-based products already available that are fully compatible with Windows for Workgroups.
"The integration of networking and workgroup features into Windows is an enormous and innovative step on the road to our vision of Information at Your Fingertips," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO at Microsoft.
"Whether a company is small or large, people need to work together in groups, share information, quickly involve one another in decisions, and coordinate schedules and business activities. These everyday activities will be supported by the services built into Windows for Workgroups, and by existing and new applications that take advantage of the operating system's workgroup extensions. Windows for Workgroups makes group computing easier."
A Platform for Workgroup Applications
Windows for Workgroups provides developers of applications for Windows with a set of core services and programming interfaces that enable Windows-based applications to take advantage of workgroup capabilities. Applications can easily be extended to support the electronic mail functionality in Windows for Workgroups allowing, for example, spreadsheets and word processing documents to be sent as mail messages to other users on the network.
Finally, because software developers can now assume workgroup capability in the operating system, new applications will be developed and existing applications like Microsoft Excel and Word will be enhanced to automate common workgroup activities, such as document assembly and schedule tracking, forms routing and notification, information sharing and application-specific workgroup tasks.
Windows for Workgroups Makes it Easier to Get Started With Networking
Windows for Workgroups makes it easy for companies without a network to install one, and enables people to share information quickly and inexpensively. The Smart Setup of Windows for Workgroups enables users of all expertise levels to install the product and get a network up and running. Smart Setup provides intelligent defaults for the networking software so that even non-technical users can handle the task of setting up and configuring network software.
Windows for Workgroups will be available in a variety of packages, including one recommended specifically for users with no existing network. The Windows for Workgroups Starter Kit includes all the software, network cards and cables needed to connect two PCs together in a complete Windows-based network. It also includes a 15-minute videotape that walks the user through a step-by-step installation process. As small workgroups grow, additional Windows for Workgroups packages can be purchased for new users.
Windows for Workgroups Enhances Existing Networks
Companies with an existing network can use Windows for Workgroups as a client to bring new services and capabilities to their LAN users, such as workgroup-enabled applications, email, scheduling and network dynamic data exchange (DDE). The product is fully compatible with Microsoft LAN Manager and Novell NetWare and allows users to simultaneously access both network types at the same time.
MIS managers and users can install and configure Windows for Workgroups in a single drag-and-drop action for both of these popular networks, saving time and trouble and reducing desktop support issues. In addition, Windows for Workgroups also works on other networks, such as Banyan VINES.
Windows for Workgroups has Strong Industry Support
More than 140 independent software and hardware vendors have already produced products that take advantage of the new features in Windows for Workgroups. In addition, thousands of Windows- and MS-DOS-based applications already on the market are fully compatible and will run on Windows for Workgroups automatically. This industry momentum means that users can exploit the power of new Windows for Workgroup applications sFkM1X\8vz<l}ions that allow users to send and receive faxes directly from their PCs without sacrificing existing investments in software.
Forty computer manufacturers, including AST Research, Compaq, Gateway 2000, Hewlett-Packard and Zenith Data Systems, plan to _^_k#all Windo of the Windows Re`fy-to-Run program, enabling themtS offeV`phe first Intel-based PCs with plug-and-play network capability. More major manufacturers are expected to follow this lead in the coming months. Major resellers nationwide including Egghead Discount Software, Ingram Micro and Merisel have the retail product available today. "Windows for Workgroups lets us do a better job of getting users up and running on their networks," said Rod Brooks, senior vice president of marketing and merchandising at Egghead Software. "It's never been easier for users to learn and use networking, electronic mail, group scheduling, and file and print sharing. We believe Windows for Workgroups will be very popular with our customers since the product should benefit both small businesses and workgroups in large corporations."
Windows for Workgroups Offers Many New Features
Microsoft Mail. A full-featured electronic mail service, Microsoft Mail allows users to read, compose, forward and reply to electronic mail messages, as well as to manage messages they receive. It also allows users to send entire documents from other business applications they use including word processors and spreadsheets, or OLE objects, such as sound annotation as part of a mail message that can be directly opened and read by the recipient.
Microsoft Mail can be easily plugged into an existing mail system that users may already have, providing an easy-to-use graphical front end.
For workgroups that need to connect to other workgroup post offices or gateways to other email systems, Microsoft is separately providing the Microsoft Mail and Schedule+ Extensions for Windows for Workgroups. Users can easily connect to other email systems and services, extending the reach of mail in Windows for Workgroups.
Schedule+. A full-featured graphical scheduling application, Microsoft Schedule+ allows people to schedule group meetings and manage their daily calendars and task lists electronically. This greatly minimizes the time it takes to set up group meetings by providing shared access to multiple online calendars.
Network DDE. Supported between connected Windows for Workgroups machines, network DDE allows users to easily create compound documents that share data across the network. For example, in just a few steps users can create reports by importing spreadsheet charts from other users' machines into their word processing documents. Live links between documents automatically update any information that changes in the original document.
People can create these links between any of the many DDE-aware applications currently shipping for Windows. Security. Windows for Workgroups is designed to strike a balance between ease of access and security. Users can quickly make files, data and printers available to others, so that people within the workgroup can reach shared resources with the click of a button.
Users can also restrict access to shared resources as desired, including requiring a password for access. Other users on the system can either be given full access to a directory, or granted permission to read files but not modify them in any way. Users who want more sophisticated security can store important data on a server and protect access to that data through security features of the server operating system.
Messaging Interface. As part of the Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA), Windows for Workgroups fully supports the Simple MAPI interface in conjunction with Microsoft Mail. Simple MAPI is the first implementation of Microsoft's Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI). Developing mail-enabled applications is easy with Simple MAPI, because developers are free of the complexity of a back-end messaging system.
A developer can, for example, easily write applications to route forms electronically for approval, or to allow users to delegate parts of a document to different individuals and automatically assemble the finished document from the completed parts.
Improvements to the Windows File Manager. Windows for Workgroups includes improvements to the Windows File Manager that simplify information sharing. In particular, a toolbar allows users to move quickly between multiple servers and directories to find widely scattered corporate data, which simplifies information sharing. ^ Using Windows for Workgroups to share desktop printers, companies can
make better use of existing printers and reduce the need to purchase additional ones. Windows for Workgroups loads its Windows-based and Microsoft LAN Manager networking software into protected mode memory, freeing up more MS-DOS memory below 640K for applications, terminate-and-stay-resident programs (TSRs) and other network drivers.
A Complete Configuration for Every User Need
Windows for Workgroups has everything that even non-technical users need to install the product quickly and simply. Several software-only configurations provide an upgrade for Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS. Other configurations include everything from the software, network cards and cables:
-- Starter Kits include all the software, network cards and cables needed to connect two PCs in a complete Windows-based network. -- User Kits contain all hardware and software needed to connect an additiona PC to the network.
-- Software-only packages are available for users who are installing the operating system on PCs that are already networked, or for users who want to purchase their own network cards.
The Starter Kits and User Kits are also available in the form of upgrade packages for current users of Windows 3.1. Software-only versions are available in upgrade form for current users of Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1. Prices range from $99.95 to $849.95, U.S. suggested retail price (SRP), depending upon configuration. (See accompanying chart for products and pricing.) In addition, the Workgroup Connection for MS-DOS product contains all the software needed to connect a MS-DOS-based PC as a client to a Windows for Workgroups network at a SRP of $79.95.
All versions of Windows for Workgroups allow for easy drag-and-drop installation of more than 100 popular network cards certified by the Microsoft Compatibility Labs.
Microsoft offers full support services and training options to help users gain the maximum benefits from Windows for Workgroups. Microsoft Product Support Services offers both telephone and electronic bulletin board-based technical support. In addition, Microsoft University (MSU) offers two courses for support professionals who want in-depth technical training on the product. These courses are available at more than 100 locations around the country, and are also available on videocassette.
System Requirements
Using the Windows for Workgroups operating system 3.1 for file and print sharing requires MS-DOS version 3.3 or higher (version 5.0 is recommended); a PC using an Intel386 SX or higher; and 3MB of RAM (4MB are recommended). Using Windows for Workgroups without file and print sharing requires a 286 or higher processor in standard mode and an Intel386SX or higher in enhanced mode; and 2MB of RAM. A Microsoft Mouse or other pointing device is strongly recommended.
Additional requirements include a 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch high-density disk drive and a hard disk with 9.5MB of available memory (14.5MB are recommended); a VGA, super VGA, 8514/A, EGA, or video graphics adapter and monitor compatible with Windows 3.1 (color VGA or better resolution is recommended); and a Microsoft Windows-compatible network adapter card and cabling.
Windows for Workgroups is available in seven languages Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish. Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Portuguese versions will ship by the end of 1992.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) 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.
Note: Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.
Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems, Inc.
Intel is a registered trademark and Intel386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
All prices listed are U.S. suggested retail price. Reseller price may vary.
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups Version 3.1 Makes Information Sharing Easier.
CONTACT: Microsoft Corporation Collins Hemingway, 206/882-8080 General Sales and Product Information, 800/426-9400 or Waggener Edstrom Ray Berardinelli or Colleen Lacter, 503/245-0905 09:02 ET OCT 27, 1992
Copyright (c) 1992, Business Wire