Microsoft to Bring Technology Directly to the Doorsteps of Seattle's Small Businesses

Microsoft to Bring Technology Directly to the Doorsteps of Seattle's Small Businesses

Road Show Features Free Seminars and State-of-the-Art Bus Loaded With the Latest Small-Business Technology From Microsoft, Cisco, HP and Intel

Interviews and tours: Thursday, Dec. 16, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PST AMC Pacific Place 11, 600 Pine Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98101

SEATTLE, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) will be in downtown Seattle this Thursday to meet face to face with small- and midsize-business owners, and provide them with the information and hands-on experience they need to make smart technology decisions for their companies. The tour will connect local business owners with technology consultants in the Seattle area.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

Visual Elements
-- The interior and exterior of a 40-foot mobile technology center
-- Visitors engaged in hands-on demonstrations of technology, such as
computers, software and printers, from Microsoft, Cisco, HP and Intel
designed specifically for small businesses
-- Local business owners on board the bus, taking part in demonstrations
by local technology consultants
-- A movie theater filled with local small-business owners, taking part in
a free half-day seminar on technology tips for growing a business

Sound Bites and Interviews
-- Local business-owner testimonials. How are Seattle's small businesses
using technology? What can a business owner gain from working with a
local technology consultant? How can the Microsoft(R) Across America
program help business owners in Seattle?
-- Interviews with Microsoft seminar presenters. What are some of the
challenges business owners face when using or deciding to use
technology? What can a business owner learn by attending a Microsoft
Across America event?
-- Interviews with local technology consultants. What resources are
available in the community for small-business owners who need help or
want to learn more about technology?
-- Interview with a Microsoft general manager of small business from your
area. What resources can Microsoft offer small businesses in your
community? (Interviews can be scheduled upon request.)

Background
-- Small businesses are an essential part of Seattle's economy.
-- According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses
in the United States are responsible for the creation of 75 percent of
all new jobs and more than half of all innovations.
-- As the market continues to thrive, small and midsize businesses are
looking for new ways to get organized, work together and grow their
business, and many are leveraging technology to support their growth.
Analysts predict that software expenditures by small and midsize
businesses will increase steadily through 2008 (by 9 percent), as will
the number of PCs per small business (by 6.9 percent).



Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Lindsay Williams, +1-503-443-7291, or lindsayw@wagged.com, or
Rapid Response Team, +1-503-443-7070, or rrt@wagged.com, both of Waggener
Edstrom, for Microsoft Corp.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp

-------
Profile: intent