REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. today announced that Windows MediaÅ Technologies has extended its lead among enterprise customers using streaming media. According to the latest study from independent research firm Market Decisions Corp. (MDC), 68 percent of enterprises surveyed that have deployed streaming media now use MicrosoftÆ Windows Media, compared with 41 percent for the next largest competitor. Enterprises are embracing Windows Media to improve the effectiveness of both internal and external communications while achieving significant cost savings. Independent research firm Perey Research and Consulting found that a J.D. Edwards and Co. streaming solution built on Windows Media Technologies paid for itself in the first year by reducing travel and other communications costs. The company projects a return on investment (ROI) of over 200 percent over four years using Windows Media Technologies. "Companies across the country are finding out that using Windows Media makes enterprisewide meetings and just-in-time training possible," said Dave Fester, general manager of marketing for the Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Windows Media has rapidly become the leading enterprise choice because it's a cost-effective platform with proven reliability and scalability on Windows&Mac226; 2000, and it easily integrates with companies' existing network and software environments." MDC's October 2000 study of 700 large organizations found that in the six months since MDC's last study on enterprise adoption, the usage of Windows Media among large organizations has grown from 46 percent to 68 percent and the number of organizations deploying Windows Media as their only digital media platform has increased from 23 percent to 39 percent. A recent study by Perey Research found that the J.D. Edwards' own internally developed streaming media knowledge management solution, built on Windows Media Technologies, paid for itself in the first year through reduced travel costs and lower audio conference call charges. J.D. Edwards created an intranet portal called KnowledgeGarden for its more than 5,500 employees in 50 offices worldwide. This portal enables employees to access, via their intranet, video-rich in-house communications, interactive collaborative training and streamed presentations, including quarterly meetings led by CEO Ed McVaney. "J.D. Edwards' use of streaming media enhances its comprehensive knowledge management and communications solution," said Christine Perey, principal consultant, Perey Research. "As a result, new ideas and innovations are more quickly understood and adopted across the company. Based on my research, I also found that this Windows Media-based solution reduced costs for training and cross-company communications, resulting in a swift pay back of their initial investment in the first year. The current installation has a projected ROI of over 200 percent by the fourth year. If usage and applications grow - and we anticipate that they will - the company will realize a yet higher return on their investment."