Multimedia Research Group announces new report on Microsoft multimedia and Internet strategies; Software giant ranks high on multimedia product breadth and ability to execute revamped strategy

Business Wire, Feb 20, 1996

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 1996--According to a new report released today by the Multimedia Research Group (MRG), Microsoft's multimedia and Internet strategies, after significant revisions during the past six months, re-position the software giant to provide products and services which could dominate the industry.

The newly released 125-page report, entitled "Microsoft: Multimedia Strategies -- 1996 - 2000," contains profiles of Microsoft's key players, teams, divisions, products, services and strategic alliances. It predicts when Microsoft will become a major player in Internet services and assesses its position vis-a-vis perceived competitors such as Netscape, Sun and SGI.

"We were surprised at how quickly Microsoft could revamp its proprietary MSN (Microsoft Network) strategy to embrace the Internet," stated Gary Schultz, MRG principal analyst and president. "In fact, Microsoft has been so effective in learning to transfer its unique software development and marketing skills to multimedia content development that it has become one of the top multimedia publishers."

MRG's analysis outlines Microsoft's key strategic goals for multimedia, which include: aggressive expansion of content into the home; facilitation of easy-to-use Internet authoring tools in concert with (subsidiary) SoftImage software programs; and exploitation of available bandwidth via strategic partnerships.

Schultz added, "We see Microsoft's drive toward dominance as contingent on how well it executes its well-defined plans for Internet servers, authoring and the NT platform. Today's most promising companies command a unique market position, the drive and the intelligence to stay their course in the coming 18 - 36 months."

Written for executives in the telecommunications, computer hardware and software and on-line industries, "Inside Microsoft" tracks multimedia trends and strategies for 1996 - 2000. This new report -- priced at $1,500 and available in both English and Japanese -- is a "must-have" for today's competitors in the multimedia or Internet tools industry as well as the titles, content, services or server businesses.

About Multimedia Research Group

Founded in 1990, Multimedia Research Group is headquartered in Sunnyvale -- the heart of California's Silicon Valley. MRG develops customized and mass-published market research reports on multimedia tools, titles, networks and channels.

CONTACT: Multimedia Research Group, Sunnyvale

Gary C. Schultz, 408/524-9767

ggs@mrgco.com