Epson today announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corporation to join the Windows Rally Program. Using Microsoft Windows Rally technologies, Epson plans to launch a series of products featuring advanced connectivity with Windows Vista.

The Windows Rally Program is a technology licensing program offered by Microsoft to hardware manufacturers, software developers and service providers. Participants in the program have access to Microsoft Windows Rally technologies, which comprise a range of functions for network-connected devices.

Using devices compatible with Windows Rally technologies, program participants can offer simple and reliable wireless LAN configurations protected by solid security. The technology also enables software to check the status of network-connected devices and detect such devices for simple transmission of data.

Epson is advancing the compatibility of its products with Windows Rally technologies, particularly in the WSD*1 field, where Epson developers work closely with Microsoft right from the stage of drawing up product specifications. At the WinHEC 2006*2 conference held in Seattle last year Epson launched and exhibited a multifunction printer and external network device compatible with Windows Rally technologies, conducting a demonstration in one of the conference sessions.

Epson will actively enhance the compatibility of its products with Windows Rally technologies to offer secure and simple network-connected devices. For more information about the Windows Rally Program, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/rally/default.mspx 

*1 Web Services on Device. Consists of technologies that detect devices on the network to automatically install drivers and configure ports, and technologies that control printers and scanners on the network for easy printing and scanning.

*2 Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2006. A technical conference on Windows hardware platforms held in Seattle on May 23-25, 2006.

Note: Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the USA and other countries.

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