Microsoft Demonstrates Support for XAPIA’s Common Mail Calls Standard at Electronic Messaging ’93 New Open Standard Expected to Simplify Software Development ATLANTA - June 15, 1993 - At the Electronic Messaging Association (EMA) trade show here today, Microsoft Corporation demonstrated its support for the Common Mail Calls (CMC) of the XAPIA standards committee by connecting CMC to the Microsoft Messaging application programming interface (MAPI). CMC defines basic functionality for sending and receiving electronic mail messages across a variety of computer platforms. By providing strong support for this standard, Microsoft has made it possible for developers to write CMC applications that work with the Microsoft* Windows* for Workgroups operating system with integrated networking and Microsoft Mail for PC Networks today. As a result of Microsoft Mail’s transport independence, these CMC applications will work not only with Microsoft Mail, but also with Microsoft Mail’s services for HP* OpenMail, Banyan* VINES* and AT&T EasyLinkSM, as well as any other services that become available in the future. As CMC support becomes available on other platforms, developers will be able to use the same application programming interface (API) calls on other platforms without modification in order to gain messaging capabilities. At the EMA show, Microsoft is demonstrating the first implementation of the CMC dynamic link library (DLL), which allows users of Microsoft Mail version 3.0 and higher to work together with CMC-enabled applications. Of the initial nine CMC supporters (see appendix), Shapeware Corporation, VMX, Inc. and Object Productivity, Inc. will show their CMC-enabled applications on top of this Microsoft platform at the Microsoft booth (#102). "We see this as a very positive step for the industry," commented Jonathan Lazarus, vice president of systems strategy at Microsoft. "CMC is an open, cross-platform standard that promises to greatly simplify software development because it can interoperate with any mail engine and reduces the need for developers to write to multiple messaging APIs." In response to customer requests to move the industry forward around a common messaging API, Microsoft requested in the fall of 1992 that the XAPIA standards body broaden its charter to encompass this work. This proposal was supported enthusiastically by the EMA, and the XAPIA commenced its Open Process program with technical meetings, review and comment. Microsoft made a commitment to support CMC when the final specification was complete. Microsoft will continue its work on MAPI 1.0 because it provides functionality beyond CMC and because hundreds of vendors and users have already written MAPI applications. The Extended MAPI specification was completed in March 1993, and the software development kit is expected this fall. It consists of more than 100 calls to the API and is designed for more messaging-intensive workgroup applications using the full range of MAPI functionality. MAPI differentiates itself from other approaches in that it is messaging system independent through the service provider architecture, which allows the user to choose multiple back-end mail systems to access. Just as the printer drivers of the Microsoft Windows* operating system can be added to give users access to a wide variety of printer types, MAPI’s service providers can be plugged in to provide the capabilities of multiple mail systems. MAPI 1.0 will be shipped with CMC as the cross-platform mail-enablement API. Windows Open Services Architecture MAPI is one of the APIs of the Microsoft Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA). WOSA is an open architecture that enables Windows-based workstations to connect to heterogeneous environments across a wide range of services. It is designed to be open so that all Windows-based applications can connect to different computer environments for common services such as accessing databases or mail systems. These services are being defined by Microsoft’s Open Process program in which Microsoft and a number of independent software vendors and industry groups collaborate to create the best design possible to meet the needs of a variety of applications and services. Microsoft has adopted standards where they exist; for example, the work of the SQL Access Group is the basis for Open Database Connectivity. Microsoft has also worked to help form standards where they are needed, such as the License Service API, with the leadership of the Microcomputer Managers’ Association and the Software Publishing Association. Availability The official CMC specification is available at the show or by faxing a request to the XAPIA at (408) 257-1478. The final Microsoft CMC DLL is scheduled to be distributed on CompuServe* within 30 days. There is no charge to developers or users to receive the Microsoft CMC. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. ######### Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems, Inc. AT&T EasyLink is a service mark of American Telephone and Telegraph Company. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc.