ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606050073
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: COLUMBUS, OHIO
SOURCE: Associated Press
MEMO: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
CompuServe Inc. on Tuesday got the same deal with Microsoft Corp. that rival America Online Inc. got three months ago.
The software program used to access CompuServe's on-line service will become part of Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system, which appears on most new computers. In return, CompuServe will promote Microsoft's browser program for finding information on the World Wide Web.
Microsoft is expected to do the same with Prodigy Services Co., the other major on-line service.
In doing so, Microsoft gives up the prominence of its own on-line service, the Microsoft Network, in Windows 95 in order to boost its browser program, which is far behind one by Netscape Communications Corp. in both technical capabilities and number of users.
Both America Online and CompuServe will continue to provide their subscribers with access to Netscape's browser.
CompuServe also will buy a new group of programs Microsoft specially designed for companies that provide Internet access or operate commercial Web sites. The programs, called Normandy, work with Microsoft's Windows NT operating program
They will allow CompuServe to slash the time and costs of developing new products and make it easier for companies that produce information for both CompuServe and the Web.
``We said we would buy technology where it makes good business sense and leave the heavy lifting to others,'' said Bob Massey, CompuServe's president and chief executive officer.
While Microsoft probably will offer Normandy to America Online and other companies, Massey said CompuServe will get a boost by being first. ``An important element in this industry is still time to market,'' he said.
Neither Microsoft nor CompuServe would divulge financial terms of the deal.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB