Mexico City — June 12, 2014 — With the goal of continuing to improve the services offered to Mexican taxpayers, Mexico’s Tax Administration System (SAT) chose Microsoft Azure cloud computing services, a solution that has allowed it to receive electronic documents in a more secure and reliable manner.

Through Microsoft Azure, the government agency took advantage of the elasticity of cloud computing services to help perform the following tasks:

• Issue electronic invoices
  

• Provide direct customer support from the portal to all taxpayers who require to check, cancel or download electronic invoices issued by themselves or on their behalf
  

• Support more than 85 authorized certification providers with filing-related services
  

For the 2013 annual tax returns process, a version of DeclaraSAT was designed in the open and flexible Microsoft Azure cloud platform to facilitate the timely and efficient completion of the annual return for taxpayers. The implementation of this solution helped the tax agency record, at the end of April, an increase of 8.24 percent more tax returns compared with the previous year’s statements. DeclaraSAT on Microsoft Azure reached more than 1,539,000 filings, compared with traditional DeclaraSAT, which recorded 299,300.

Through the SAT, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit reported that at the end of the April 2014 period, it had received the largest number of annual individual statements ever recorded.

“Since we started using Microsoft Azure services with the SAT, we have processed close to 4 billion documents with the peace of mind that Microsoft Azure helps keep the information secure, which is fundamental for the organization,” said Juan Manuel Galarza, general administrator for communications at the SAT. Microsoft Azure has also allowed the agency to process daily peaks of up to 34 million electronic invoices.

“At Microsoft we are proud to be able to provide our technological tools to government institutions, especially when they result in benefits for citizens,” said Carlos Allende, director of Public Sector and Education of Microsoft Mexico. “An example of this is Microsoft Azure, which offers external connectivity at least 99.95 percent of the time and allows institutions to run cloud solutions while providing absolute security in the management of processed information. In addition, it provides automatic software updates, network load balancing and high availability.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 11 , 2014 — Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday announced details for in-store events and experiences in the more than 90 Microsoft retail stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, to celebrate the launch of the tablet that can replace your laptop: Surface Pro 3. Starting now, and continuing through launch day on June 20 and beyond, Microsoft Stores are offering the best way to experience, pre-order and celebrate the arrival of Surface Pro 3. Everyone is encouraged to come in and check out the excitement for themselves and get expert tips and advice on Surface Pro 3 directly from the company that created it.

G et hands -on with Surface Pro 3 in store and pre-order now

Customers can go in store or online at MicrosoftStore.com now to pre-order Surface Pro 3, and can visit any Microsoft retail store to be among the first to have a hands-on experience with Surface Pro 3 and the latest accessories — including a Microsoft Store exclusive red type cover — before they’re available to the public on June 20. Each store will have multiple devices to try along with a team of store experts dedicated to delivering the best choice, quality and service with every technology purchase.

Launch morning events in all stores on June 2 0

To celebrate the arrival of the Surface Pro 3, all Microsoft retail stores in the U.S. and Canada will host launch day activities starting when stores open on Friday, June 20, including VIP white-glove pre-order pickup, giveaways, music, food and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to win dozens of giveaways and prizes, including a family vacation to Honolulu, Hawaii, for four. See https://microsoft.promo.eprize.com/surfacepro3 for full official rules.

People can join the event advance at the Microsoft Store Facebook page to get the latest information, and additional details will be posted at http://www.microsoftstore.com as they become available. You can also visit your local Microsoft retail store to find out more.

Surface Summer Celebration events on June 28

The fun continues the following week with Surface Summer Celebration events taking place in Microsoft retail stores on Saturday, June 28. All stores will have summer-themed activities and giveaways, then attendees at 10 select stores will enjoy a family-inspired afternoon of fun featuring food, games, and the chance to meet local sports celebrities as well as the newest member of the Surface family, Surface Pro 3. Events will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. local time at the following stores:

• Bellevue Square, Bellevue, Washington

• Aventura Mall, Aventura, Florida

• Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco

• Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, New Jersey

• Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale, Arizona

• Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, Illinois

• The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia

• Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

• South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California

• The Shops at La Cantera, San Antonio

About Surface Pro 3

Surface Pro 3 is the tablet that can replace your laptop. Powerful, portable and designed to maximize productivity, Surface Pro 3 brings the best of a laptop and the best of a tablet together in one sleek device. With a large, 12” ClearType Full HD color-calibrated display, multi-position kickstand, increased processing power, a new Surface Pen, front- and rear-facing cameras, and weighing only 1.76 lbs, Surface Pro 3 is light yet powerful, delivering the power, portability and productivity you need.

About Microsoft retail stores

Microsoft continues to expand its existing retail footprint in the U.S., offering an assortment of best-in-class products, including Windows 8.1 PCs, Surface Pro 3, Windows Phones, Xbox One, Microsoft Office 365 and more. Customers also receive end-to-end service with an Answer Desk and knowledgeable staff to answer questions, make recommendations, and help with PC setups and other services, so they can walk out the door with a product that’s ready to run. More information can be found at http://www.microsoftstore.com.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspective from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.