Microsoft Utilizing Optiant's Powerchain(TM) Suite for Strategic Inventory Optimization


October 3, 2006

Microsoft, the world's leading provider of software, services and solutions for people and businesses around the globe, is working closely with Optiant, the leading provider of inventory planning and optimization solutions, to effectively reduce safety stock targets for its entire home and entertainment business. Implementing Optiant's award-winning PowerChain(TM) Suite across all geographies including Asia, Europe and North America, Microsoft will have a comprehensive supply chain optimization solution for its enterprise operations.

Committed to continually evolve and to accelerate new technologies as they emerge and to better serve customers, Microsoft will also utilize Optiant's PowerChain solution as a strategic tool to help Microsoft reduce inventory levels while simultaneously boosting service levels to improve overall business processes.

As with most high-technology companies, Microsoft is challenged with effectively managing the decline of older products and introduction of new products to the market-at the lowest possible cost, without losing sales and market-share in the process. Optiant's PowerChain Suite will assist Microsoft with managing product life cycles, to optimally transition products and components in and out of the supply chain, maximizing the economic value from this process.

"Being on the forefront of technology innovation is not new to Optiant and we are pleased to be working closely with Microsoft to provide them with an innovative solution and approach for optimizing inventory," said Jonathan Colehower, Optiant's CEO. "Global companies, like Microsoft, need a robust and flexible solution like Optiant's PowerChain Suite to effectively manage today's demand variability and complexity in the supply chain that will enable them to exceed high customer expectations."

About Optiant
Optiant, the leading provider of inventory planning and optimization solutions, helps Global 2000 companies optimize bottom-line performance through the creation of the world's most responsive and resilient supply chains.

Optiant's solutions optimally balance resources, total costs, and customer service across the supply chain to deliver greater profitability, increased customer satisfaction, more efficient use of capital, and a resilient supply chain that fully handles uncertainty in supply and demand. Optiant has transformed supply chains for the world's leading manufacturers including Black & Decker, Gillette (a Procter & Gamble division), Henkel, HP, Imation, Intel, and Sonoco.

Delivering millions of dollars in returns, Optiant's SAP certified industry-focused solutions generate quantifiable business results within 90 days of implementation. The solutions are based on award-winning research from MIT and decades of experience dedicated to the identification and realization of supply chain efficiencies. For more information, please visit www.optiant.com.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Company Name: Optiant
Phone: 312-873-3422

Contact Name: Andrea Ryan Davis
E-mail: andrea@outlookmarketingsrv.com

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