Microsoft shows off new, multi-device platform

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Dec 21, 2001 by Dickinson, Casey J

SYRACUSE - Nearly 100 managers and technical personnel from area companies got a look at Microsoft's latest Internet technology Dec. 6 at the Wyndham Syracuse. The Microsoft net Technical Summit, hosted by Odyssey Software LLC, gave an inside view of the Internet giant's net (dot-net) platform.

The dot-net platform operates using eXtensible Markup Language (XML), which allows greater communication between Internetconnected devices.

"Dot-net allows any application to run on any device, anywhere," says Michael Barbato, corporate account executive for Microsoft Corp.

The dot-net platform, he explains, is complicated in design but simple in application. Computer systems that were once incompatible can exchange information using Microsoft's dot-net technology. A Web page that isn't specifically written to display on a personal digital assistant or Internet phone can't be viewed on those devices.

The dot-net platform resolves the differences between systems using XML, a meta-language that translates between different systems. Existing Web sites, says Barbato, can be retrofitted with dot-net technology.

"Basically, dot-net 'plays well with others,'" he explains.

Odyssey, a Microsoft certified partner, used a two-track approach to bring the dot-net news to attendees. The host invited its client's executive, as well as technical staffs, to hear about the platform. Executives attended separate sessions from the technical personnel in order to target the presentation.

The Microsoft summit resulted from cooperation between Odyssey Software and the Washington-based computer giant, says David Oddy, president of Odyssey. The company plans an ongoing series of seminars aimed at exploring technical issues its clients face. The sessions help familiarize clients with products and services to help with the technical side of their businesses.

"This is what we do every day," he says.

William Parker, vice president and chief information officer with Agway, says he came to the summit in order to see the latest in Internet technology, if not to jump on the net bandwagon fight away. The agricultural cooperative operates a number of Web sites.

"Agway is always interested in new technology solutions," he adds.