By Simon Hodgson
Microsoft Corp has signed up Groupe Bull SA to promote its Windows 2000 operating system across Europe in a three year deal from which Bull expects to derive Ffr2bn ($322m). Bull aims to double its NT server sales, which currently stands at 30,000 units, to try and snag 8% of the market. It will also quadruple its Microsoft services business, hiring 800 new certified staff for Microsoft implementations which takes the total to 1000. Bruno Pinna, marketing director for Intel Servers at Bull, expects the $322m to be split 50:50 between servers and services.
The two firms plan to extend this relationship to offer a combined e-commerce software package targeting the small to medium-sized enterprise market. Pinna told ComputerWire that Bull would make an announcement in the next three to six months. The French company is also looking to utilize Microsoft muscle behind its smartcard and security products, although it was unwilling to disclose details. Bull will sell pre-configured Microsoft software into the public sector, finance and discrete manufacturing markets.
The package is likely to comprise Windows 2000 with thin client technology, Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server and the combined e-commerce offering. Pinna says Bull expects to sign up 500 enterprises across Europe during the course of the partnership. Bull has an option to extend its relationship with Microsoft, says Pinna, which will take in geographic sectors in South America and Eastern Europe.
