XML Web Services Demonstrated in New Zealand

For Immediate Release

XML Web Services Demonstrated for the First Time in New Zealand at Tech·Ed 2001

.NET Vision Comes Alive; Delegates to Trial Application

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Monday, August 20, 2001 - Two of New Zealand's leading companies have taken the first step to making .NET a reality by developing XML Web Services that integrate seamlessly across organisations and IT systems. The Bank of New Zealand and Vodafone New Zealand have both taken advantage of the XML Web Services model to develop applications that will provide convenient, fast and easy services to their customers. The applications will both be demonstrated at Tech·Ed 2001, New Zealand's largest technical education conference, this week.

"The .NET vision focuses on getting information where it is needed most, regardless of the systems and devices used or types of data involved," said Terry Allen, Technical Marketing Group Manager at Microsoft New Zealand.

"We're delighted to see XML Web Services already being used in New Zealand as the backbone for innovative solutions.

"At Tech·Ed 2001, Microsoft will showcase XML Web Services technology so that even more of New Zealand's IT community can reap the benefits of this incredibly versatile toolset. We're looking forward to seeing many examples of these applications over the coming year.

Currency Conversion .NET Style The BNZ worked with Auckland-based developer e-Formation Limited to develop a real-time currency conversion Web Service, for customers like travel agents or exporters, who need instant, up to date information on exchange rates for their business. The application is integrated into customer web sites and the conversion functionality is accessed seamlessly when it is required.

The application is a perfect example of .NET functionality in action according to e-Formation Limited Technical Director, Marcel Blake.

"Normally a business would have to build a conversion application from scratch - an expensive and time-consuming process that isn't necessarily their core competency," he said.

"With the currency converter, only two lines of code are required to connect to the conversion functionality. It allows the BNZ to extend the application of its own information to new environments and can be used by any site that has XML capabilities.

The currency converter was built by the e-Formation Limited team of developers using Visual Studio® .NET Beta 2. ".NET is the way of the future," says Blake. "Tools like Visual Studio .NET enable us to develop incredibly flexible web services that can be implemented in a whole raft of different environments.

"In addition, the substantial pre-development functionality built into the .NET tools means the development process is quick and can build on existing applications - you don't have to start from scratch, even though you are using a new level of technology.

Russell Briant, Product Manager Electronic Payments at the Bank of New Zealand, said: "BNZ is delighted to have worked with e-Formation Limited on the launch of real-time currency conversion. We see this as part of BNZ's ongoing commitment to delivering innovative solutions to our customers.

During the past 18 months BNZ has launched BNZ.MarketView, CurrencySelect, Trans-Tasman Banking, On-Line Securities and On-Line Bond Trading.

TechEd Delegates Trial XML Web Service for Vodafone The new XML Web Service being developed by Vodafone, using SOAP technology, will allow developers to access and use Vodafone's text service. This means developers will be able to integrate SMS capability into programs, to facilitate a business need.

The service will be trialled at Tech·Ed 2001, where a conference notification service using the XML Web Service has been set up.

Delegates can visit the Vodafone exhibition stand, log into a web application and select the sessions that they would like to be reminded of. They then enter their mobile phone number into the system. Based on the preferences they have defined, they receive reminders during the conference via Vodafone's SMS service, 15 minutes before each presentation.

"The ability to integrate data and text instantaneously in this way is a great example of .NET in action - combining different systems, using different types of data, but communicating the critical message very simply to the person who needs to know - regardless of where they are," says Terry Allen.

About Tech·Ed 2001 Tech·Ed 2001 is the definitive technical conference for New Zealand's IT industry, designed to keep developers and IT professionals up to date with state of the art technology on supplier enablement, mobility and integrated enterprise solutions. With six consecutive tracks and 84 technical breakout sessions, Tech·Ed 2001 focuses on developing and managing software on any device, any time, from anywhere, using the enterprise servers, Windows* 2000, Visual Studio* .NET, and Office XP. Keynote speakers are Stan Sorenson and Gregory Leake from Microsoft Corporation in the United States who have both taken a leading role in the development of the .NET platform.

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.

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Microsoft, Windows and Visual Studio are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

For more information, press only: Terry Allen, Technical Marketing Group Manager, Microsoft New Zealand, Email: terryal@microsoft.com Ph: 357 5824 or 021 741 575

Carol Leishman, Communications Manager, Microsoft New Zealand, Email: carolle@microsoft.com , Ph: 09-357 5820 or 021 636 607

Lee Ah Chong, AUGUST.ONE COMMUNICATIONS, Email: lee.ahchong@augustone.co.nz , Ph: Microsoft Press Office line: 09-357 5844

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft New Zealand Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/nz/ on Microsoft's corporate information pages.

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