Microsoft Delivers Obama, McCain To Voters

August 28, 3:09 PMTechnology ExaminerDarrell Dunn

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For their showcase conventions, both Democrats and Republicans have found common ground in turning to Microsoft to provide enhanced live and on-line presenatation of their presidental candidates, improved on-site operations and expanded coverage.

Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden and others participating this week at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver have also been delivered to Internet audiences using Microsoft's Silverlight high-definitition streaming video technology to provide a richer viewing experience, faster data feeds and speaker information overlays.

"The objective of the Democratic National Convention was to take advantage of the most cutting-edge tools available to bring down the walls and open up the convention to more people than ever before," says Julie Craig, senior analyst for Enterprise Management Associates. "It's using technology to allow people to feel part of the process whether they are in Denver or Alaska."

At the DNC website, www.demconvention.com, visitors can download HD versions of all the convention speeches, full-text of speeches, preview programs, behind-the-scenes blogs and pictures and videos uploaded by convention attendees.

Microsoft is the official sotware and HD Web content provider for the DNC, which concludes August 28, and fhe official technology provider for the Republican National Convention, scheduled for Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn.

For the Democrats, Microsoft has created systems for media registration, delegate tracking, vote tracking, credentials management and podiium operations. For the Republicans, the company is developing virtual workspaces, a volunteer management system and a venue-scheduling platform.

"We are supplying both parties with some very innovative technology, such as interactive displays, portable music players and high-definition video streaming," says Joe Cherkis, general manager of government solutions for Microsoft.