Microsoft Corp (MSFT)

[acesteele]

That's great news, Windows Man!

ahem... and a cool name for a company, as well...

$$$ACE$$$


"SteelCloud Signs OEM Agreement with Microsoft
Monday July 14, 8:02 am ET
Company Perfects New Appliance Platform with Proprietary SteelCloud SC2 Software


DULLES, Va., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SteelCloud Inc. (Nasdaq: SCLD - News), a leader in the development of network security appliances, today announced they have entered into an OEM Agreement with Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT - News). Under the terms of the contract, SteelCloud's new line of branded security appliances developed around the proprietary SteelCloud Secure Console (SC2) software, will utilize a special embedded version of Microsoft's Windows Server.
"Choosing embedded Windows over Linux for our new security appliances was a deliberate choice," explained Brian Hajost, SteelCloud Executive Vice President. "With SC2, Windows Server delivers higher performance, scalability, and reliability. From product differentiation to performance optimization to rapid deployment and ease of management, SC2 and embedded Windows Server have catapulted SteelCloud's branded appliances into a distinct leadership position in the surging and vital network security appliance market which IDC estimates will reach $3.8 Billion by 2006. With SC2 development completed, SteelCloud is now in a position to create new security appliance applications in a fraction of the time and cost it would normally take."

"SteelCloud's new line of appliances, built on the Windows Server platform, is designed to meet the highly demanding needs and 'hands-free' administration customers require from an appliance solution," said Jim Hebert, General Manager, Windows Server division, Microsoft Corp. "We are delighted to have important partners affirm the value of the Windows Server platform by making conscious business choices to deliver innovative new solutions that deliver greater operational efficiencies and add value to customer's IT investments."

The new security appliances will be demonstrated at CA World in Las Vegas, NV on July 13 - 17, 2003. Hosted by Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA), one of the world's largest software companies, the event brings together thousands of CA customers and channel partners from all over the world. The SteelCloud appliances will be shown in the CA Partner Pavilion and feature CA's eTrust security software solutions for antivirus gateway protection and for intrusion detection.

SteelCloud's ready-to-deploy, hardened enterprise-class network security appliances, which combine proprietary hardware, software, and embedded Windows Server with the following features:

* Windows Server provides a proven comprehensive operating system platform
delivering seamless integration, industry-leading scalability, solid
reliability, and maximum hardware performance in a multi-processor
environment.
* SteelCloud Secure Console (SC2), proprietary web-based management
software transforms Windows Server into a highly secure, hardened, and
streamlined OS highly tuned for each application. The Company has
achieved application throughput increases of more than 50% by
implementing SC2.
* SteelCloud's flash-based Rapid Exchange Module (rXm) combined with SC2,
provides the user with archival copy of all user set-up data in order to
support the ability to propagate and exchange appliances in a matter of
minutes.


The Company's contract with Microsoft protects SteelCloud's intellectual property interest in its SC2 software. The Company's antivirus gateway appliance models AVG 3000 and 5000 will be available in late July. The intrusion detection appliance models IDS 3000 and 5000 are slated for delivery in the early fall."