Microsoft raises its sights in e-commerce

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp. is to announce a new initiative today called BizTalk, the company's third attempt to break in to the growing electronic commerce market, and is also expected to announce a partnership with PeopleSoft in the development of software using BizTalk to permit integration of backoffice systems with Web sites. They also intend to offer web-hosting services to small businesses. So far, Microsoft's efforts have been thwarted by concerns of potential customers like banks that the software giant may decide to compete with them as it has already with online travel, car, and real estate services. Other companys, Amazon.com for example, have developed software in house because they were unable to find products that met their needs. Computer services providers Oracle Corp., Sun Microsystems and International Business Machines are ahead of Microsoft in development and sales of electronic commerce systems to those companies that are buying them off the shelf. Chairman Bill Gates wants this market and BizTalk is part of the strategy. Analysts say it is still possible for Microsoft to catch up and that the reliance of many company's on its platforms like Windows NT gives it a built-in advantage.

United States, Strategy & planning, Microsoft Corp., Electronic commerce, E-commerce, MSFT

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Netscape planning software to push rival Microsoft off computer desktops

Article Abstract:

Netscape will introduce its Netscape Constellation desktop organization product in mid-1997 in a bid to wrest control of the PC desktop software market from rival Microsoft. Constellation will reside above Microsoft's Windows operating system as a de facto operating system. Netscape states that Constellation will be used to link the Internet, corporate databases and desktop applications under a single program. Constellation users will be able to choose from a button list that will launch any application with the click of a button. Constellation represents Netscape's realization that it cannot eliminate Microsoft from the desktop operating system market. With Constellation, Netscape plans to position itself above the operating system, therefore moving Microsoft to a subservient position. But Microsoft plans to deliver a similar product, Active Desktop, in the second half of 1997.

Systems Software Pkgs (Micro), Operating systems (Software), Netscape Communications Corp., NSCP, Software product development, GUI, Graphical user interfaces, Graphical user interface, Netscape Constellation (Web browser)

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Ex-Soviet scientist reshapes 3-D for PCs

Article Abstract:

Alexander 'Sasha' Migdal, a renowned Soviet physicist, has created a 3-D computer technology that has the possibility of eventually reshaping the world of computer graphics. Migdal's start up company, Real Time Geometry, has been purchased by MetaTools, and Migdal has been named the chief scientist of MetaTools. MetaTools plans to release products based on Migdal's 3-D technology as well as license it to other hardware and software companies. The technology will provide inexpensive PC's with high quality 3-D graphics only available on supercomputers and very expensive workstations in the past. The 3-D technology has a wide variety of applications beyond games. Department stores, plastic surgeons and artificial limb developers could all use the technology as well.

Technology development, Three dimensional displays, 3D technology, MetaTools Inc., MTLS

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