Microsoft to open Messaging and Collaboration Centres of Excellence (CoE) in collaboration with partners
Best practices framework at the CoE to facilitate migration to Windows Server platform and adoption of messaging and collaboration solutions based on Exchange Server, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server and BizTalk Server

Bangalore, April 25, 2007: Microsoft Corporation India, today announced the opening of a Center of Excellence (COE) for Exchange Server migration, in Bangalore, in collaboration with Sonata Information Technology Ltd., which will cater to the customers in the southern region. Microsoft will also be opening CoEs in northern and western region in collaboration with its partners. The CoEs will develop solutions, tools and applications which will make migration to the Microsoft platform easy, effective and faster. Customers who have migrated to the Windows platform including Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 include InfoEdge Ltd. which owns some of India's leading portals such as Naukri.com, JeevanSaathi.com and 99acres.com.
According to industry estimates, the Unified Communications market is pegged at $40 billion worldwide. Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 is a key component which will enable the delivery of unified communications solutions to customers. Microsoft had recently launched Exchange Server 2007 the next version of Exchange Server, the industry's leading server for e-mail, scheduling, calendaring, and unified messaging. The release of Exchange Server 2007 is closely aligned with the Microsoft Office 2007 wave of products, which together deliver a best-in-class enterprise messaging and collaboration solution.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 has received an overwhelming response from customers since its launch in December 2006. Customers who have adopted the platform under the rapid deployment program include Godrej Industries Ltd and Mindtree Consulting. According to a recent Frost & Sullivan study, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Windows-based messaging solution is 8.5% lower that of a Linux-based solution in India.

Elucidating on the announcement, Radhesh Balakrishnan, Director, Platform Strategy, Microsoft Corporation India, said " In the emerging new world of work, email is one of the most effective means of communication and collaboration across geographic boundaries. Organizations are looking for a reliable, cost-effective, and easy to deploy and manage messaging and collaboration system which empowers their people to enhance their day to day productivity with anywhere access. Exchange Server builds on the foundation of Windows Server and Active Directory Services to provide a reliable and cost-effective solution in this space. The Messaging and Collaboration CoEs are designed to enable more and more customers to realize the benefits offered by the Microsoft messaging and collaboration offerings and the Windows platform. Together with the partners our endeavor is to provide a seamless, easy and customized migration experience to our customers."

Commenting on the announcement, Sujit Mohanty, AVP and Director, Sonata Information Technology Ltd., said "Over the years, Sonata has developed rich experience in application development, implementation and maintenance of all major messaging platforms. As a result of our enduring alliance with Microsoft, we are fully geared to help clients adopt emerging Microsoft technologies. At the new Microsoft CoE just inaugurated, we will showcase the distinct value proposition of Microsoft Exchange Platform - lower TCO, ease of use, manageability and rich functionality - as well as Sonata's skills in seamless transition and effective deployment of the same. Sonata's custom built solutions, consulting services and best practices framework will ensure a faster adoption of the new platform for the customer."

Commenting on the migration to Microsoft Exchange platform, Ankur Kheterpal, Head IT, Naukri.com, said "The main reason we decided to migrate from Lotus Notes was that we needed a more stable and cost effective solution."

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software-any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft Corporation India Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation USA. It has had a presence in India since 1990 and currently has offices in nine cities - Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad.

About Sonata

Sonata Information Technology Limited (SITL), is a 100% subsidiary of Sonata Software Limited, SITL caters to its customers in India through its 7 branch offices and an extensive reseller network. Sonata Software Limited (Sonata) is a leading IT Consulting and Software Services company, which has been servicing its clients in the US, UK and Europe since 1986. Sonata is listed on the Indian Stock Exchanges, and has a SEI CMM Level 5 accreditation. For more information, please visit www.sonata-software.com.

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Priyanka Goel/Suman Saurav Nitin Thakur
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Nitin Thakur
Microsoft Corporation India Pvt.
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Emai l: nitint @microsoft.com

Swati Sengupta
AVP - Corporate Marketing,
Sonata Software Limited
A.P.S. Trust Building,
Bull Temple Road,
N.R. Colony,
Bangalore 560 019
Phone : + 91 80 2661 0330
Email : swati.sengupta@sonata-software.com