EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC), the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, today announced broad technology integration, consultant readiness and solution support for Windows Server 2008 and will offer similar support for SQL Server 2008 when it is generally available to customers. This commitment will enable customers to build a mission-critical EMC information infrastructure for these new Microsoft platforms.

EMC delivers Microsoft solutions and services that build upon its longstanding engineering partnership and commitment to deep interoperability testing. This extensive testing ensures customers can quickly gain the benefits of the new virtualization, management and security features of Windows Server 2008 and the advanced business intelligence and expanded data type support within SQL Server 2008. In addition to technology readiness, the EMC Microsoft Practice within EMC Global Services has more than 600 Microsoft trained consultants helping customers plan for, deploy and leverage the new capabilities within Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008.

"The new Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 platforms deliver significant enhancements that enable mission critical computing capabilities, and improved productivity for customers," said Mike O'Neill, EMC Vice President of Technology Alliances. "The rigorous interoperability testing by EMC E-Lab™, extensive solution integration work by our internal Microsoft Solution Center of Excellence, and EMC's Microsoft services expertise, enable us to deliver mission critical Microsoft infrastructures with less risk and proven, predictable results."

"Our customers tell us that a critical factor in their ability to deliver mission-critical solutions is the support and expertise of partners who are deeply engaged with Microsoft," said Bill Laing, General Manager of the Windows Server Division at Microsoft Corp. "By working together with EMC, we are helping provide our mutual customers with platforms that can scale, perform and manage at the highest service levels in their environments."

Windows Server 2008 offers numerous improvements for storage-related functionality and EMC, as the industry leader, fully supports and exploits these new clustering, management, connectivity and performance improvements in customer solutions. As examples of technology readiness, EMC RepliStor®, and EMC NetWorker® software have achieved "Works with Windows Server 2008" testing certification and more key EMC software applications are being tested to predictably deploy EMC technology with Windows Server 2008.

As a leader in information management and storage solutions for virtualized environments, and one of the most respected Microsoft consultancies in the industry, EMC is working with customers to optimize their infrastructure and leverage Hyper-V, the built-in virtualization capabilities of Windows Server 2008 to reduce costs, increase flexibility and improve system availability.

EMC, a SQL Server Always On Technologies program member, has committed significant resources to develop EMC Proven Solutions around SQL Server 2008 to enhance it leadership position in providing solutions around upgrades/migrations, database consolidation, and information protection. These solutions will include validated reference architectures which help deliver predictable results, faster time to value and higher efficiency for customers. In addition to proven infrastructure solutions, EMC Global Services offers a demonstrated track record of working with all aspects of a business intelligence system, and is ready to leverage the new features of SQL Server 2008 to help customers consolidate views of disparate data sources, enable predictive analysis, and provide access to the information users need to make timely business decisions.