LAS VEGAS, April 1 /PRNewswire/ --

- New mobile solution, mobile services plan and phones come together for end-to-end managed offering.

Helping to propel large-scale mobile phone deployments by businesses, Microsoft Corp today announced at CTIA Wireless 2008 the immediate availability of System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and plans for a Microsoft Mobile Services Plan (MMSP) to be available from mobile operators worldwide. Together with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, the software and services provide the best solution for midsize and large businesses to manage and help protect Windows Mobile phones.

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"With Microsoft's mobile solutions, businesses now have the power, control and flexibility over how they deliver information to their employees on the go," said John O'Rourke, general manager, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft. "Together with our partners, we're helping enterprises extend their reach like never before."

Microsoft saw positive response to early trial programmes for Mobile Device Manager. Companies across the financial, manufacturing and professional services industries also requested that mobile operators deliver a core set of software and services to help businesses meet their management needs.

A study conducted by Microsoft with large and midsize organisations showed businesses would like to move beyond their current mobile solutions to offer more sophisticated services. Mobile Device Manager meets their needs by offering the following benefits:

-- Features to manage phones with the same ease and flexibility as Windows-based PCs, addressing IT priorities for saving resources and protecting information -- Capability to help protect sensitive business files and e-mails, contacts and other information through file and storage card encryption on the phone should it be lost or stolen -- Ability to access more of the information mobile workers need for staying on top of their jobs via a mobile virtual private network, which provides security-enhanced access to company data and application updates over the air

Mobile Services Plan Enriches End-to-End Experience

Today leading operators AT&T, O2, Orange, TaTa Teleservices Ltd and Verizon Wireless announced they are in discussions with Microsoft to deliver the Microsoft Mobile Services Plan. MMSP is a set of core software and services that provides a uniform experience across Windows Mobile 6.1 phones, whether working with one or more operators, saving time and resources so companies can focus on other areas of mobility. Beginning later in 2008, operators plan to offer a subscription plan that will bring businesses the following:

-- A corporate-grade network and data plan to support enterprise applications and services to help people get work done with the responsiveness they expect from the network and the efficient use of battery power they want on their phones -- A package from mobile operators, including access rights to Mobile Device Manager as well as the advanced mobile management features of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Services Premier Support and Software Assurance for Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Office Mobile running on Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones.

Fast-Growing Network of Partners Open for Business

Responding to the opportunity created by Mobile Device Manager and complementing the MMSP, a large network of global partners are ready to integrate and deploy into existing systems as well as create custom solutions for businesses. Among the first companies that worked with Microsoft to support early trial programmes are AT&T Inc, EDS, Enterprise Mobile, HP, O2, Orange, SAT Corp and Verizon Wireless.

"Given AT&T's leadership in the Windows Mobile space, AT&T is excited that Mobile Device Manager is now a reality for our enterprise customers," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Marketing and Operations for AT&T's wireless unit. "Every day, mobile devices become more ubiquitous throughout the enterprise, and the need to securely manage those devices, data and applications is critical for IT organisations. Through our early adopter trials, our customers are responding positively to AT&T's deployment and optimisation plans for Mobile Device Manager and are eager to adopt the first end-to-end wireless-focused enterprise solution that can maximise their investments in Microsoft technology."

A wave of Windows Mobile 6.1 phones and operator networks supporting Mobile Device Manager is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2008 from Alltel Wireless, ASUS, AT&T, HP, HTC Corp, i-mate, Intermec Inc, Motorola, O2, Orange, Palm Inc, Pantech, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Sprint, TaTa Teleservices Ltd, TELUS, Toshiba and Verizon Wireless.

Management Solutions for Every Business Need

Mobile Device Manager builds on the core set of security and management features provided by Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1 and complements the comprehensive deployment, updating and asset management capabilities of Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Mobile Device Manager is available through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Client access licences will be available through existing volume licensing channels in areas where mobile operators do not yet offer the plan. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/mobile/default.mspx.

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 16,000 people in over 64 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.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com

Weber Shandwick, +1-425-452-5400, usmcb@webershandwick.com, for Microsoft Corp/ 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 appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre/contactus.mspx. 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./ Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO/ AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com