FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Joe Stunkard, Public Relations Manager Voice: 602/670-7145 Fax: 602/670-7101 MCI Mail: 532-6657 ARTISOFT ANNOUNCES LANTASTIC(R) NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM v6.0 Offers Universal Client Technology & Integrated Groupware with E- Mail, Scheduling & Faxing Capabilities (TUCSON, AZ -- Feb. 28, 1994) -- Artisoft, Inc. announced today version 6.0 of its LANtastic network operating system. This upgrade includes significant feature additions and enhancements, including a new universal client technology. The universal client technology provides seamless desktop connectivity to Novell, Inc., Microsoft Corporation and IBM Corporation network servers. An integrated groupware system includes advanced electronic mail, network scheduling, faxing and paging features. The LANtastic v6.0 network also includes improved network performance and enhanced network management capabilities. This new version is expected to begin shipping during March 1994. "This upgrade represents the most significant enhancement of any previous version of the LANtastic network operating system. Its advanced features will help to position it as the leading networking and communications system for small- and medium-sized businesses and corporate workgroups," commented Artisoft President & CEO William C. Keiper. Universal Client Technology Artisoft's integrated universal client technology allows LANtastic v6.0 workstations to seamlessly connect to servers on Novell(R), Microsoft(R), and IBM(R) network operating systems. This connectivity will enhance the functionality of workgroups that need to connect to the corporate network or need interoperability among dissimilar network operating systems. The universal client feature includes NetWare(R) Core Protocol (NCP) support that enables LANtastic v6.0 workstations to access NetWare 2, 3 and 4 servers for file and print services. This support enables users to operate both LANtastic and NetWare networks transparently in the same local area network, while adding flexible networking features to departmental workgroups in an existing NetWare installation. Artisoft has also entered into an agreement with Novell that includes Novell certification of the interoperability between LANtastic network clients and NetWare 2, 3 and 4 servers. Artisoft intends to work with Novell to get the official certification for the LANtastic v6.0 network in the near future. Server Message Block (SMB) client support gives a LANtastic v6.0 workstation the ability to access any SMB-based server for file and print services. This provides LANtastic v6.0 network users with access to servers running Microsoft Windows NT(TM) and Windows(TM) for Workgroups, IBM LAN Server(TM) and any other SMB version 1.0 compatible system. Integrated E-Mail, Scheduling, Faxing & Paging System Artisoft has incorporated a new, full-featured groupware system into version 6.0 of the LANtastic network. The integrated Artisoft Exchange(TM) object-oriented system includes advanced E- mail, network scheduling, faxing and paging features for LANtastic v6.0 network users. Artisoft may also offer in the future separate gateway products for use with the Artisoft Exchange system that will provide users with: * Remote mail access between Artisoft Exchange servers across a serial connection * Connectivity to Novell Message Handling System (MHS)-based mail systems on the network, including Lotus(R) cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail and WordPerfect(R) Office * Connectivity to MCI Mail using a modem (users must subscribe to MCI Mail in order to use their services). Through MCI's X.400 and proprietary gateways, users may send messages to correspondents on 60 other public electronic mail systems in 61 countries, including CompuServe(R) and Internet. The Artisoft Exchange system allows users to address and simultaneously send a single message to a fax address, a digital pager, another local Artisoft Exchange mailbox and an MCI Mail user. Because this system is integrated with the LANtastic v6.0 network, the accounts and resources that have been set up for users on the LANtastic v6.0 network are also available on the Artisoft Exchange mail and scheduler systems. The convenient scheduler feature allows users to keep track of day-to-day personal and group appointments, as well as long- range plans. Users will have several options for performing tasks, allowing them to individualize the way they use the program. "We believe that by integrating these valuable E-mail, scheduling and faxing capabilities into our network operating system, we are providing our users with the most complete office network solution," Keiper said. "Our commitment to our users goes beyond just networking computers. We are dedicated to offering a better way to network people and helping them to increase their productivity." Improved Performance The modular design of the LANtastic v6.0 network software allows users to configure their network server with selected features. File and print services, accounts, security, management, remote boot support and many other functions can be individually selected to customize each LANtastic v6.0 network server for optimal memory size and performance. An internal file sharing program replaces the DOS SHARE.EXE program previously used to support file and record locking on network servers. Lock and unlock commands can now be handled immediately and are not limited by the SHARE program. This enables databases to run faster, even on heavily loaded LANtastic v6.0 network servers. A burst mode feature adds another performance boost to the LANtastic v6.0 network because it enables workstations and servers to send more data across the network at a rapid rate. Advanced Management Capabilities The new management features of the LANtastic v6.0 network are specially designed for growing networks. Users with the management privilege can get configuration, status and performance statistics for any LANtastic v6.0 network server. Network administrators can monitor and receive warnings for low server disk capacity or excessive CPU utilization. Administrators can also import or export user account information in three different text formats for easy management in a database, spreadsheet or word processing application. Enhanced Printing An improved remote print server feature runs on a LANtastic v6.0 workstation and collects and prints jobs directed to up to seven network printers from multiple servers across the network. This enables any network workstation to act as a print server. Printing speed is also improved in Windows with version 6.0 of the LANtastic network. A new Windows applet graphically displays and controls the Characters Per Second (CPS) rate and users can dedicate additional CPU time to print services. Additional Feature Enhancements Upon installation, LANtastic v6.0 network users can now load NDIS drivers to provide compatibility with adapters that include an industry standard NDIS driver. This allows users to choose from an even greater variety of network adapters to use in their LANtastic network, including those available from Eagle Technology. Version 6.0 of the LANtastic network also allows users of the Linkbook(TM) scrapbook feature to link Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) sessions throughout the network. This enables a Windows application that supports DDE to be linked to a DDE-aware program on another PC. Users can share and dynamically update information from linked documents, spreadsheets, database files and graphics files across the network. Pricing And Availability The LANtastic v6.0 network will be sold on a per node basis with 1-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-user kits available. Pricing for these user kits will start at $119 (MSRP) and upgrade pricing will begin at $39 (MSRP) per node. Version 6.0 of the LANtastic network is backward compatible with the LANtastic v5.0 network and the Simply LANtastic(TM) network. The LANtastic v6.0 network will also be available in starter kits that include two NodeRunner/SI(TM) 2000/C adapters and a two- user software license. These starter kits will be priced at $519 (MSRP). Add-on kits will include one NodeRunner/SI 2000/C adapter and a one-user software license and will be priced at $239 (MSRP). Artisoft (NASDAQ "ASFT") is one of the world's leading suppliers of scalable, cost-effective networking solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses. The company offers the award- winning LANtastic network operating system as well as network management, backup and multiplatform connectivity systems. Under the combined Artisoft and Eagle Technology brand names, the company is also one of the world's leading providers of Ethernet adapters. Artisoft maintains 10 international offices and distributes the LANtastic network and its other connectivity products in over 70 countries worldwide. For more information about Artisoft or its product line, contact Artisoft, Inc. at 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85745. Sales 800/233-5564. Corporate 602/670-7100. Fax 602/670-7101. # # #