Dell, Microsoft Announce Education Agreement to Help Students, Teachers in the Classroom.

Business Editors; Education and High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 2002

Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) and Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) today announced an agreement to provide education-specific network servers and notebook computers to K-12 education customers in the

The new products, which feature Microsoft Class Server software, will allow teachers and school administrators to easily organize and manage institutional resources, provide individualized and engaging ways for students to learn, and promote parents' involvement in their children's education.

According to the agreement, announced at the NECC trade show in San Antonio, Dell will factory install Class Server on Dell PowerEdge(tm) servers and Dell Latitude(tm) notebooks, simplifying the process of getting a school district's network up and running with the software.

Microsoft Class Server is a powerful teaching and learning program that combines content creation, curriculum standards and management with tools aimed at helping school districts, administrators and teachers improve student performance. In addition, more than fifteen U.S. and international publishers have developed content for the platform, accounting for more than 4,000 standards-aligned lessons, tests and projects that are available for teachers to use with Class Server.

The Latitude notebooks with Class Server will make it easier for teachers to access a variety of available tools. The teacher version of the notebook includes training modules, examples of best practices from which to develop lesson plans and other elements designed to help teachers succeed. Students can access the Class Server information, such as assignments and other resources, from home or school using a Web browser.

With the software installed on the school district network, parents also can access information remotely and securely over the Web, allowing them to view their child's homework assignments, grades, attendance records and other information.

The new systems are expected to be available for order this summer.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies 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.

About Dell

Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL), the world's most preferred computer systems company, is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $31.2 billion. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at www.dell.com.

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