The energy industry faces several challenges going into the next century. There is an increasing need, driven by competition and softening energy prices, to reduce the cost of finding, producing, refining and selling petroleum products. To begin addressing these issues, the global energy industry is streamlining operations and many companies are merging to reduce costs. Through these efforts, there is often a need to standardize on an enabling hardware platform and operating system to achieve technical consistency and lower the overall cost base. Energy companies are also looking at unique ways of operating to attain new levels of efficiency. Microsoft(r) is working closely with its energy industry software and hardware associates to assist these companies and provide the following capabilities: Price/Performance Leadership, Knowledge Management, Interoperability and Commerce. Dedy Effendi Lingga; Microsoft Indonesia
