The alliance centres on Corillian's Voyager 3.0 Internet banking platform and covers Microsoft Windows 2000 Server network operating systemand .NET platform for XML Web services.

Ted Spooner, CEO of Corillian says the agreement takes the company's relationship with Microsoft to the next level. "With aligned focus and resources we will be able to deliver best-in-class solutions for Internet banking, bill payment/presentment, account aggregation and other e-finance applications," he adds.

Under the agreement, Corillian will lead with the Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server platform - including Windows 2000 Server and SQL Server 2000 - as the preferred platform for its Voyager Internet banking solution. Microsoft will provide consulting services, support services and technical training to assist in the development of solutions using .NET technologies. Microsoft also will disclose future product and technology directions to Corillian.

Other elements of the .NET platform that Corillian is adopting include the .NET Framework, an environment for building, deploying and running XML Web services and other applications; the Visual Studio .NET programming environment built on the .NET Framework; clients such as Windows XP Embedded and Windows 2000 Professional for smart devices; and .NET services.

Other mutual commitments under the alliance agreement include providing an account manager and supporting team to manage the day-to-day relationship, ensuring mutual worldwide executive involvement, establishing a joint business plan, holding periodic business reviews, and putting in place an escalation path to resolve any customer issues. The alliance agreement also calls for the formalisation of a ready-for-market joint Microsoft-Corillian enterprise Internet banking solution.