FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE US Media Contact: Joe Stunkard International Media Contact: Adriana Gomez Voice: 602/670-7145 Voice: 602/670-7300 Fax: 602/670-7101 Fax: 602/670-7101 MCI Mail: 532-6657 ARTISOFT ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF LANTASTIC(R) VERSION 5.0 Includes Improved Multiplatform/Workgroup Support, Enhanced Administration, New Windows Network Scrapbook (TUCSON, AZ -- February 22, 1993) -- Artisoft, Inc. announced today a new version of its network operating system, LANtastic v5.0, which is scheduled to ship in March. This new version of the award-winning LANtastic Local Area Network now incorporates additional features, including multiplatform connectivity for corporate workgroups as well as enhanced network administration, security, and printing capabilities. A new LANtastic(R) for Windows(TM) scrapbook feature facilitates the exchange of text, graphics and audio information across the network. "These new feature developments, combined with improved multiplatform support, continue to make LANtastic v5.0 one of the leading peer-to- peer network operating systems on the market today," commented Jack Schoof, Artisoft's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "LANtastic v5.0 still offers the ease-of-use, flexibility and low cost that smaller businesses demand, while maintaining the power, security and connectivity support to handle larger networks." Improved Multiplatform/Workgroup Support Enhancements to the LANtastic v5.0 network increase user support to 500 users per server -- up from the 300- user support found in v4.1. LANtastic users can now bridge to OS/2(R) HPFS, WORM and other non- DOS drives. Users share these drive connections with the LANtastic network by setting up the connection as a LANtastic shared resource. Additionally, LANtastic v5.0 provides bridging capabilities to UNIX(R) NFS, allowing a LANtastic server that is also a UNIX client (running LANtastic(R) for TCP/IP software or other UNIX client software) to serve as a bridge to the rest of the LANtastic network. A LANtastic server running as a NetWare(R) client can also be set up as a NetWare bridge so that users on the LANtastic network can access the NetWare server's files. This can be done by installing an additional adapter to the LANtastic server and appropriate NetWare workstation files or by running LANtastic(R) for NetWare(R) software. The new NetBIOS provided with LANtastic v5.0 now includes routable packets that allow users to connect different types of networks such as ARCNET, ethernet and serial port networks together in a single LANtastic network. An IPX routing option allows the use of Novell IPX-compliant routers. A new global resource feature permits users who login to only one server to use multiple servers' resources, easing network resource management. Enhanced Network Administration LANtastic v5.0 now allows administrators to set up all user accounts on a single server, which can share the user account information with other servers. This remote accounts feature makes it easier to set up and maintain individual accounts, wild card accounts and Access Control List (ACL) groups because they are all stored in one place. A remote server management feature enables users to control the server without leaving their desks. Users can edit a remote server's accounts or resources as if they were using the server's keyboard and viewing its screen. A new batch despooling feature allows users to despool commands to a remote server from a local PC, and specify the date and time when these commands will be executed. This is useful if a user has a list of commands, such as a backup sequence, to queue up on a server. Powerful Security Additional security features extending to the individual file level now include ACL Groups. ACL Groups allow multiple users, such as users within a particular department, to have the same privileges regarding particular files on servers. Each user's individual account can be assigned specific additional access rights in addition to those linked to the ACL Group. ACL security can also be extended to individual files and groups of files located on a shared resource. Additional Feature Enhancements LANtastic v5.0's disk caching program, LANcache, now gives users many new features to help speed the performance of network servers and workstations. Users are able to cache multiple drives in a single PC, specify different LANcache sizes for DOS and Windows, and configure LANcache to use as little as 10K of RAM. With the "auto-retry on disconnect" feature, LANtastic v5.0 will now automatically attempt to re- establish a broken server connection. Deferred NET LOGIN and NET USE commands allow users to set up connections to several servers even when the servers are not currently running. This feature will allow users to automatically login to the servers when the servers come on-line. Improved printing features include delayed despooling, which allows users to specify the date and time for printing; support for COM3 and COM4; and remote despooling, which allows a server's queue to be serviced by multiple remote printers. Text, Graphics And Voice Sharing Across The Network LANtastic v5.0 also offers Windows(TM) users important new features including the LANtastic for Windows Scrapbook, voice chat, network communication with LAN Radio(TM) and voice error messages. The network scrapbook feature allows users to share text, graphics and sound items across the network. The scrapbook can be used locally or shared with other LANtastic users, and security can be set up to protect items in the scrapbook. Users can be granted access to information through the scrapbook and receive new information when the scrapbook is updated at its source. With the Artisoft Sounding Board(R), users can access the voice chat feature for real-time voice communication between two PCs, and use LAN Radio for multiple-channel "CB radio-like" communications across the network. Users can also create voice error messages using the Artisoft Sounding Board. Pricing * Pricing on Artisoft's A2Mbps(TM) and Ethernet adapter series Starter Kits remains the same. Artisoft has introduced new Starter Kits based on the LANtastic NodeRunner(TM) 2000/C adapter. These new LANtastic Network Starter Kits offer a complete hardware and software networking solution for two PCs (TM) the LANtastic network operating system with support for up to 500 users, two Artisoft NodeRunner(TM) 2000/C adapters, cabling and documentation. The DOS Starter Kits are available for $659 and the Windows-DOS Starter Kits are available for $759. * Additional users can be added with the purchase of the LANtastic(R) Ethernet Add-On Kit, which includes the license to add one node to the network, installation and set-up software, and a software- configurable NodeRunner Ethernet adapter. These Add-On Kits are available as follows: * NodeRunner 2000/C - $259/single node license (special, limited-time pricing) - $1,499/6-pack license (approximately $249/node) (special, limited-time pricing) - $2,899/12-pack license ($241/node) * The adapter-independent LANtastic/AI(TM) v5.0 network operating system, which allows users to run the LANtastic network on third- party adapters, is available as follows: * DOS: $119/single node license $659/6-pack license ($109/node) $1,189/12-pack license ($99/node) $2,999/500-user license version * Windows-DOS: $139/single node license $779/6-pack license ($129/node) $1,429/12-pack license ($119/node) $3,499/500-user license version For more information on the LANtastic v5.0 upgrade, contact Artisoft at 800/846-9726. Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of innovative, cost- effective network communication solutions including the LANtastic Local Area Network. Recognized as the leader in peer-to-peer networking for DOS and Windows environments, the LANtastic network now offers multiplatform connectivity solutions for NetWare, TCP/IP and Macintosh(R) systems. It allows up to 500 users of IBM(R) - compatible computers to connect and share information and peripheral devices such as printers, hard drives and CD-ROMs, and has won numerous industry awards for its cost-effective features, performance and ease of use. Artisoft distributes the LANtastic network and its other connectivity products in over 70 countries worldwide and maintains international offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Latin America, Canada, Australia and Japan. For more information about Artisoft or its product line, contact Artisoft, Inc. at 691 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85704. Sales 800/846-9726, ext. 611. Corporate 602/293-6363. Fax 602/293-8065.