INTRODUCES FIVE NEC SELECT SOLUTIONS FOR THE BUSINESS OFFICE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT; TEAMS MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR WINDOWS WITH DESKTOP AND PORTABLE SYSTEMS Boxborough, Massachusetts, August 17, 1992--In conjunction with today's introduction of the NEC Select Solutions program, NEC Technologies, Inc. announced the first series of "solution-ready" systems for the business office environment--The Personal Office, The Professional Office, The Power Office, The Mobile Office, The Enhanced Mobile Office, and The Portable Presenter. Available immediately, these solutions feature Microsoft Office for Windows Fe-loaded/configured and optimized on the NEC PowerMate SX/25i, PowerMate 486SX/2Si, and PowerMate 486/50i desktop systems, and the UltraLite SL/20, UltraLite SL/20P, and UltraLite SL/25C notebook computers. All NEC's Select Solution systems for the business office environment are defined and configured in NEC's software labs, in collaboration with Microsoft, for optimum performance, ease-of-use, and greatest functionality. DOS and Windows parameter and configuration files are defined, tuned and optimized for a particular application and hardware platform. Other configuration adjustments include sizing and positioning of the Windows permanent swap file on disk, proper installation of device drivers, configuring optimum disk caching, re-sizing Windows icons for easier viewing in high resolution modes, and logical grouping and layout of the Windows desktop. Adding additional value to NEC Select Solution systems for the business office are the inclusion of "Information Center" icons which appear on screen upon system start-up for quick and easy information access, personal training software tutorials, a Visual Basic library, and a Microsoft mouse. "Users of NEC Select Solution systems will benefit enormously from NEC's intense Windows optimization and configuration efforts that will ensure the best application performance of their software," said Joel Diamond, technical director of the Windows User Group Network (WUGNET), and international technical organization for Windows users and developers. "The level of integration and optimization achieved between Microsoft software and NEC hardware represents added value for customers. From a value perspective, the turnkey NEC Select Solutions are also easy to buy and use, and easier for MIS organizations and end-users to implement," said James Berrett, chief operating executive at NEC Technologies, Inc. "Users simply don't have the time to sift through piles of hardware and software documentation. Instead, NEC has invested the time and engineering resources to insure that the best operating platform is plug-and-play." "Microsoft and NEC have teamed up to offer the type of business solutions customers are asking for," said Steve Ballmer, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Support Group, Microsoft Corporation. "People are flocking to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft applications for Windows because they're easier to use. With NEC Select Solutions, users can start realizing the benefits of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as soon as they turn on their machines." NEC SELECT SOLUTIONS: BUSINESS OFFICE PRODUCT OFFERINGS The Personal Office An entry-level solution for small businesses or departments within a corporation, the Personal Office features Microsoft Office for Windows on a PowerMate SX/25i desktop computer. The Personal Office is an ideal solution for first time users or those who need to use only one or two applications at a time, but don't want to sacrifice performance for price. The Professional Office Designed as a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses and corporate departments that require additional "stations" for increased productivity or replacement of older equipment, the Professional Office teams Microsoft Office for Windows with a PowerMate 486SX/25i for desktop computer. The increased application productivity of the Professional Office is provided via Word for Windows version 2.0, Excel 4.0, and Powerpoint 3.0. The Power Office The Power Office has been developed for users within corporate departments and/or medium-sized businesses who require maximum computing performance to increase office productivity. In order for these users to remain productive--without having to wait for the system to "catch up"--a very powerful system is required to handle the large overhead of processing and memory management tasks. Comprised of a PowerMate 486/50i with Microsoft Office for Windows and a MultiSync 3FGx color monitor, the Power Office provides users with a strong office productivity system. The Mobile Office, The Enhanced Mobile Office, and The Portable Presenter NEC also has developed three portable Select Solution systems--The Mobile Office, The Enhanced Mobile Office, and The Portable Presenter--for professionals who conduct a significant amount of business away from the office. The Mobile Office is based on the UltraLite SL/20 notebook computer, The Enhanced Mobile Office is based on the UltraLite SL/20P pen notebook computer, and The Portable Presenter is anchored by the UltraLite SL/2SC, the industry's first active matrix color notebook computer. All of these Select Solution systems include Microsoft Office for Windows, an UltraLite 14.4 Data/Fax modem device, and an attractive leather case for ease of portability. A cellular phone upgrade kit is available for all of the portable solutions. All NEC Select Solution systems for the business office environment can be shipped Network Ready--whereby network hardware and Novell software are pre-installed and configured for immediate use upon connection to the network. Service and Components/Options All NEC Select Solution system customers are entitled to free one-year, on-site service and unlimited "800" telephone technical support. The Personal Office, Professional Office, and Power Office are based on NEC's PowerMate Image series of desktop computers, featuring the industry's first-to-market local bus video technology, and are outfitted with NEC's award-winning MultiSync 3FGx color monitors. In addition, PowerMate Image systems are easily expandable and upgradeable, allowing maximum system flexibility. Options for these solutions include: * Novel NetWare and NetWare Lite * 2400 bps modem or 9600 bps fax modem * NEC Multimedia Upgrade Kit and digital audio cable kit In addition, all NEC Select Solutions systems include a full documentation set, library of floppies, Microsoft mouse, and a mouse pad. Pricing and Distribution Information NEC Select Solutions for the business office computing environment will be available from approximately 200 qualified NEC Select Solutions resellers nationwide at the following prices: Desktop Solutions: Portable Solutions: The Personal Office $2,739 The Mobile Office $3,579 The Prof. Office $2,929 The Enhanced Mobile Office $3,979 The Power Office $3,649 The Mobile Presenter $5,529 Network Ready Option $ 199 For more information about NEC Select Solutions, counsel about matching Solutions to applications or to locate the nearest participating dealer, call 1-800-374-8000 after August 24th when the products begin shipping. Microsoft Corporation Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. NEC Technologies. Inc. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading supplier of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include award-winning ProSpeed laptop computers, UltraLite notebook computers, MultiSync FG monitors, Silentwriter and Colormate printers, PowerMate Image and Express systems products, and InterSect CD-ROM hardware. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation. 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