REDMOND, Washington, August 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- Company announces agreements that will deliver enhanced 
interoperability and seamless integration.

Microsoft Corp today announced that it has signed several Microsoft
Communications Protocol Program (MCPP) licensing agreements with industry
leaders such as Aruba Networks Inc, BalaBit IT Security and Secure Computing
Corp under the US protocol programme.

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The MCPP has been designed to answer software application developers'
need to interoperate with Microsoft(R) Windows(R) server and client
environments as well as meet regulatory requirements.

"The MCPP, while recognising what is expected of us by US government
standards, is a structured approach that will enable our customers to enhance
their overall IT ecosystem," said Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the
Server and Tools Business at Microsoft. "Our responsibility is to provide
customers and partners like Aruba Networks, BalaBit and Secure Computing with
information, tools and support that facilitate interoperability with
Windows."

Aruba Networks, BalaBit and Secure Computing signed the MCPP licensing
agreements, which makes available Windows client-to-server protocols used to
communicate between Windows client and server operating systems.

"The innovative solutions we built using Windows client-to-server
protocols were made possible by our ready access to technology and
documentation as an MCPP licensee, as well as our close alliance with
Microsoft," said Michael Tennefoss, head of strategic marketing at Aruba
Networks.

BalaBit, an internet security company specialising in application layer
proxying, licensed MCPP for audit and control restricted protocols. With its
MCPP licence, BalaBit plans to enhance its technology for Remote Desktop
Protocols (RDP), which can now make RDP's services available for
Windows-based servers as well. The RDP is used by remote desktop clients to
connect to Windows Server(R) Terminal Services, and it allows the client to
remotely display presentation data and access licensing information, serial
devices, and other desktop remote functions from the Windows Server.

"The control of encrypted remote server management protocols is a new,
extremely fast-growing market segment, and we want to keep our leading
position in it," said Marton Illes, development manager at BalaBit. "We
expect that our MCPP licence will help us expand our business and make our
products interoperable with Windows Server."

Microsoft's Commitment to Licensing Technology

These licensing agreements demonstrate the important role licensing
intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT
ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing programme in December
2003, the company has entered into more than 200 licensing agreements and
continues to develop programmes that make it possible for customers, partners
and competitors to access its Microsoft Protocol Licensing Programs. The IP
licensing programme was developed to expedite access to Microsoft's
significant research and development investments and its growing, rich patent
and IP portfolio. More information about Microsoft's protocol licensing
programmes is available at http://www.microsoft.com/protocols.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) 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 60 subsidiaries, delivering products and
services in 138 countries and territories.

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