- SugarCRM, the first commercial open source application vendor to adopt
the Microsoft Community License, introduces new Windows-based distribution.
Today at the Open Source Business Conference, Microsoft Corp (Nasdaq:
MSFT) and SugarCRM Inc announced their intent to enhance interoperability
between their respective Microsoft(R) Windows Server(TM) and SugarCRM
products. The companies announced that they plan to begin working together on
a technical collaboration project to help their mutual customers take further
advantage of the increased reliability and simplified administration
available on the Windows(R) platform. SugarCRM also announced that it will be
releasing a new Sugar Suite distribution under the Microsoft Community
License with the Sugar Suite 4.5 version. This licence is part of the
Microsoft Shared Source Initiative, a programme through which Microsoft
shares source code with customers, partners and governments worldwide.
"With nearly 35 per cent of SugarCRM's customer base currently running on
Microsoft Windows Server, this intent to collaborate exemplifies the breadth
of partners and developers finding economic success on the Microsoft Windows
Server platform," said Bill Hilf, director of Technical Platform Strategy at
Microsoft. "SugarCRM is a leading commercial open source vendor. We are
pleased to be working with it on this joint collaboration effort designed to
provide customers using SugarCRM on Microsoft Windows Server with the best
possible experience within their environment."
Although the two companies will continue to compete in certain areas,
they intend to work together to improve interoperability and provide
increased benefit to their joint customers. Initially, the key areas for
technical collaboration and architectural guidance are expected to focus on
improved SugarCRM support for Internet Information Services (IIS) as well as
optimisation for Active Directory(R) and Microsoft SQL Server(TM), including
SQL Express, SQL Server Workgroup and SQL Server Enterprise. In addition,
SugarCRM plans to use the Windows Installer XML (WiX) tool set to build its
forthcoming product installation as a Microsoft Software Installer (MSI)
package for Windows Server 2003.
"We are excited about our collaboration with Microsoft, as it will allow
our customers to capitalise on their existing Windows infrastructure by
helping to speed deployment times and lowering overall costs," said John
Roberts, chairman and chief executive officer of SugarCRM. "In addition to
this technical collaboration, the simplified language contained within the
Microsoft Community License also provides a straightforward licensing option
that meets the needs of our mutual customers."
"We recently deployed SugarCRM's Sugar Professional edition on the
Windows platform," said Valerie Kozikowski, partner at BDO Seidman LLP, a
leading national professional services firm. "Increased interoperability
between Microsoft and SugarCRM allows us to take advantage of the
reliability, ease of use and simplified administration available on the
Windows platform."
"Superior Industries has been running our business on Microsoft and Sugar
Professional for some time," said David Schmidgall, MIS manager for Superior
Industries, a manufacturer of conveying systems and components. "We expect
this collaboration to improve our back-end database integration and
streamline system administration."
About the Microsoft Shared Source Initiative
Through the Shared Source Initiative, Microsoft is sharing source code
with customers, partners and governments worldwide. The Microsoft Shared
Source Initiative is a framework for making Microsoft source code more
broadly available through clear, simple licences. The Shared Source Licenses
enable companies such as SugarCRM to build compelling solutions and service
offerings while decreasing costs and speeding time to market.
More information on Microsoft's Shared Source Licenses can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sharedsource/licensingbasics/sharedsourcel
icenses.mspx.
About SugarCRM
SugarCRM provides powerful commercial open source CRM application for
companies of all sizes worldwide, improving efficiency and effectiveness when
acquiring, supporting and managing customers.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft
employs more than 12,000 people in over 55 subsidiaries, delivering products
and services in more than 139 countries and territories.
This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp
disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material
for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any
special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of
contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the
use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting any kind of warranty.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows Server, Windows and Active Directory 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.
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com
Microsoft Corp
Tony Keller of S&S PR, +1-719-634-8279, or tony@sspr.com, for SugarCRM; or Ted Roduner, +1-425-638-7000, or tedr@waggeneredstrom.com, or Rapid Response Team, +1-503-443-7070, or rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, both of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, for Microsoft; or Microsoft EMEA Response Centre, +44-870-243-0515, or emearesponse@waggeneredstrom.com; Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org, PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com; NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft in EMEA, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/emea or the EMEA Press Centre at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre . Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at the time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact the Microsoft EMEA Press Office at +44-870-243-0515 or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/contactus .
If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft Corp, please visit the Microsoft web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages.
About Aaron Reed Aaron Reed is an assistant professor specializing in software architecture and design and .NET development at Neumont University in Salt Lake City, UT. He has worked professionally in the industry for over 12 years as a lead architect/designer, development manager, and VP of development. When he isn't spending time reading up on the latest in software development, Aaron loves spending time with his beautiful wife and three children.
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