First Online Sale of Windows 2000
For Immediate Release
First Online Sale of
Windows 2000
E-Tail to Play Significant Role in Sales of
Next Generation Operating System
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Wednesday, February 17, 2000 - Microsoft New Zealand today marked the worldwide launch of its new business operating system, MicrosoftÒ WindowsÒ 2000 by announcing that an Aucklander made the first online purchase of its retail version of Windows 2000 Professional.
The purchase was made through FlyingPig.co.nz, one of New Zealand's leading e-tailers, at 11 minutes 53 seconds after midnight today.
Microsoft plans to commemorate the first official launch purchase by presenting the first 'e-tail' buyer with $2,500 (excluding GST) worth of Microsoft product. FlyingPig.co.nz expects to be able to deliver the prize to the winner today.
Microsoft New Zealand's Corporate Marketing Manager Ross Peat said that e-tailing would continue to grow as a significant channel for the company.
"We're pleased the first Internet purchase of the retail version of Windows 2000 has been made in New Zealand.
"There were about a dozen recorded purchases made just after midnight and Microsoft thanks everyone who has joined in the fun to get online last night and start shopping for Windows 2000," Peat said.
"It's amazing. We actually had two purchases made very close together - both logging in from Auckland within a couple of minutes of each other."
"This is great news for FlyingPig.co.nz," said Pacific Retail Group executive director Stefan Preston.
"We're proud of the fact we have been the first in the world to sell a retail copy of Windows 2000.
"It does much to uphold all the enthusiasm and hard work that has been put in to making FlyingPig.co.nz New Zealand's premiere e-commerce site," Mr Preston said.
"It's also indicative of how, in so many ways, the Internet and on-line shopping are playing such an increasingly important role in people's lives."
About FlyingPig.co.nz
Launched in
October 1999, FlyingPig.co.nz is New Zealand's first
Internet Supersite. It offers New Zealand customers a wide
range of products and services including books, videos,
software and stationery. Backed by leading retailers
Pacific Retail Group, Whitcoulls and e-commerce company
Advantage Group, FlyingPig.co.nz is a business-to-consumer
e-commerce site which combines online and offline retail
expertise.
About Windows 2000
Windows 2000 will enable
the next generation of PC computing by providing customers
with the easy way to Internet-enable their business using
the integrated Web application services, increased
scalability and industry-standard security. Windows 2000
will provide a more reliable platform designed for increased
system uptime and a more manageable operating system to
lower desktop management costs and will offer more
centralised management for servers. In addition, Windows
2000 will enable knowledge workers to take advantage of new
devices.
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.
ends
Microsoft and Windows are either registered
trademarks or trademarks 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.
Contacts
Ross Peat, Microsoft New Zealand,
0-9-357 5809, rossp@microsoft.com
Stefan Preston,
FlyingPig.co.nz, 0-9-358 5050,
stefan@flyingpig.co.nz
Carol Leishman, Microsoft New
Zealand, 0-9-357 5844, carolle@microsoft.com
Peter
Hennessey, Botica Conroy & Associates, 0-9-303 3862,
peterh@bca.co.nz
Deborah Pead, 141 Palace Plus, 0-9-358
0141, deborahp@palaceplus.co.nz
Note to editors: For
additional information on Microsoft, please visit the
Microsoft New Zealand Web page at
http://www.microsoft.com/nz
For more information on FlyingPig.co.nz visit http://www.FlyingPig.co.nz.