Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device. Headquartered in Redmond, Wash., the company operates subsidiary offices in more than 60 foreign countries and employs nearly 44,000 people worldwide.

Building on the popularity of the Windows operating system and the Office productivity suite, Microsoft is now focused on developing technology for the next-generation Internet. The company's .NET platform will enable businesses to collaborate to offer an unprecedented range of integrated and customized solutions -- solutions that enable their customers to act on information wherever and whenever they need it.