Microsoft KB Archive/121875

Summary of Microsoft Merger with Intuit Inc. PSS ID Number: Q121875 Article last modified on 11-07-1994 PSS database name: HOMETOOL

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= SUMMARY =

This article summarizes details of the planned merger with Intuit Inc., the planned transition of Microsoft Money to Novell Inc., and our commitment to our Microsoft Money customers. This article also includes answers to common questions about the planned transition.

= MORE INFORMATION =

On October 13, 1994, Microsoft signed an agreement to merge with Intuit Inc., a leading publisher of financial software for the home and small-business environment, with such titles as Quicken, QuickBooks, and TurboTax. This merger will help Microsoft in its goal of developing the most advanced, automated and user-friendly software for conducting and organizing home and small business affairs. In connection with the merger we announced that we would sell the Microsoft Money product to Novell. The closing of these agreements could take several months. During this period, Microsoft will continue to actively develop and support Microsoft Money. While the merger is being completed Microsoft will work closely with Novell to ensure a smooth transition of the Money product. We are jointly committed to seeing that Money customers experience no disruption in service or support during the transition period. To this end we have agreed to a number of cooperative activities with Novell, including a 90-day support period after the closing of the merger. We want to assure our customers that Microsoft is fully committed to continuing to provide quality support and service for Microsoft Money while the merger is being completed. If you are a user of Microsoft Money’s On-Line services, there will be no disruption in this service. National Payment Clearinghouse, Inc. (NPCI) will continue to provide and support these services for Microsoft Money customers. By the time the merger is completed Novell support staff will have been fully trained to support the online services. We anticipate that Novell will work closely with our bank partners and service providers. After the merger is completed, Novell will continue to upgrade the Money product and support Money customers. If for any reason the merger is not completed, Microsoft is firmly committed to updating and supporting the Microsoft Money product.

= QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS =

The questions and answers section that follows answers the most frequently asked questions relating to both the merger and its implications for existing Microsoft Money customers. As the merger progresses, we will write to our registered Microsoft Money users with all pertinent information. Q. Why does Microsoft want to merge with Intuit? A. Both companies have a lot in common - a passion for building great products for today’s home computer user and for helping our customers move closer to instant access to information, including financial information and information processing. The combination of the technologies and ideas that each company can contribute will accelerate the development of these new technologies and help to make this vision a reality. Q. What happens to Microsoft Money? A. Once the merger is finalized, Money will become part of Novell’s product line. Q. Is Novell committed to continued development and support of Money? A. Yes. Money is an excellent product with a strong customer base. Novell also has many strengths that will ensure the future success of Money; its technological knowledge and experience; its rich understanding of the applications world through its WordPerfect group; a great emerging home brand in Main Street; it already offers a tax package that, with Money, will enable them to build a diversified personal finance software portfolio; and it has strong resources that will keep Money a strong player in the personal finance category. Q. What does the transition of the Money product to Novell mean for existing Money customers? A. Microsoft is committed to avoiding any disruptions in support and service to its Money customers during the transition to Novell. After the merger is finalized, Novell will assume full responsibility for updating and supporting Microsoft Money customers. In the interim period, Microsoft will continue to provide full support to Microsoft Money customers. Q. Should Money users transition to Quicken? A. Novell will continue to develop, and enhance the Money product for its customers. Ultimately, customers should choose the product they think best fits their needs. Q. What migration path will Microsoft offer existing Money users to move to Quicken? A. Both Money and Quicken support the QIF file format, which means that data can be transferred between applications with minimal data loss. At this time, however, we cannot comment on any Quicken product or marketing plans/changes. Q. What happens to the online services offered with Microsoft Money? A. When the transition of Money to Novell is complete, Novell will be responsible for supporting the online services, and we anticipate that it will work with bank partners and other service providers to enhance these services. There are no plans to discontinue these services within Money. Q. I bought Money because it was a Microsoft product, and that meant good support and service. A. Novell develops and supports a whole range of products from networking through consumer products, and has an excellent reputation. Novell is fully committed to continue to enhance and support Money and to vigorously compete in the personal finance market. Q. There will be an appealing low-cost upgrade path to stay with Microsoft - right? A. We cannot comment on any Quicken product or marketing plans or changes at this time. Q. Quicken includes a $10 rebate for current owners. Will Microsoft honor the $10 rebate for existing Microsoft Money users? A. We cannot comment on any Quicken product or marketing plans or changes at this time.

KBCategory: kbref kbpolicy KBSubcategory: Merger Additional reference words: w_money, Merger, Novell, Intuit 1.00 2.00 3.00

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================================================================ Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1994.