FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE US Media International Media Contact: Joe Stunkard 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 ENHANCEMENTS TO LANTASTIC(R) CONNECTIVITY SERIES New Windows(TM)-Based LANtastic For Macintosh(R) Connectivity Software; Free Update To LANtastic For TCP/IP Connectivity Software (TUCSON, AZ -- September 28, 1993) -- Artisoft, Inc. announced today a new Windows-based version of the LANtastic for Macintosh connectivity system. The new LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway software allows a non-dedicated Windows PC to act as a gateway that provides interconnectivity between Macintosh AppleShare(R) and LANtastic networks. The LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway software is priced at $649 and is scheduled to begin shipping in fall 1993. Artisoft is also offering a free update to the LANtastic for TCP/IP connectivity software, which will be available to registered endusers and Artisoft Five Star Connectivity(SM) Resellers in October 1993. "We have based the new LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway software on the award-winning features of our original LANtastic for Macintosh system. This new software, which takes advantage of the easy-to-use Windows environment, saves valuable network resources because it allows a non-dedicated PC to be accessed while it acts as the gateway between platforms," stated Dave Hallmen, Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. The LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway Software Artisoft will continue to sell its original LANtastic for Macintosh connectivity system for DOS users along with this new Windows-based product. Both LANtastic for Macintosh products are the result of a joint development agreement with Miramar Systems. The original LANtastic for Macintosh connectivity system and the new LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway software use a PC as a gateway to provide networked Macintosh users with transparent access to the LANtastic network resources, while enabling LANtastic users to transparently access PostScript printers on the Macintosh network. For example, files that are created on the PC by a cross-platform application such as Microsoft(R) Word or Excel can be directly accessed by Macintosh users. In order for LANtastic network users to have access to Macintosh file resources, Macintosh users must copy these resources onto the gateway PC. Software Differences While these two products both provide interconnectivity between LANtastic and Macintosh networks, they differ in two ways: the operating environments that they support and the manner in which the gateway computer is set up. The original LANtastic for Macintosh connectivity system, which runs on DOS, uses a dedicated network PC to serve as the gateway computer, while the LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway software runs under Windows and allows a non-dedicated LANtastic Windows PC to act as the gateway computer. The remaining LANtastic workstations on the LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway network can run a mixed environment of DOS and Windows. Hardware Requirements The non-dedicated gateway PC requires two adapters: one to connect the Macintosh network, and one to connect the LANtastic network. The LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway software includes software drivers that are compatible with a variety of popular industry standard Ethernet network adapters, including Artisoft's AE-series, NodeRunner(TM) and NodeRunner/SI(TM) series. This software also requires Apple's System 6.0 or greater, and DOS 3.3 or greater. The LANtastic for TCP/IP Connectivity Software The LANtastic for TCP/IP software, which was jointly developed with The Wollongong Group, Inc., allows a workstation on a LANtastic network to access a wide range of systems throughout the network, including DEC(TM) VAX, HP(TM) and Sun(TM) workstations, IBM(R) mainframes, and NCR(R) and AT&T(R) minicomputers. The free update to this software offers improved features that allow users to easily access TCP/IP resources from a seamless Windows environment. Software Enhancements Enhanced features include: * Compatibility with applications written for the Sockets for Windows(TM) (WINSOCK) application programming interface * A Windows-based script compiler that allows common telnet terminal emulation tasks - such as logging into a remote host or starting an application - to be automated for on-line execution * On-screen function keys for VT340 and TN3270 terminal emulations * Enhanced printer functions that allow users to locate and mount a remote NFS printer, view all available printers on the server, view all the print jobs in the queue for a redirected printer, and delete print jobs from a print queue * Displays that show users all internal information about a mounted network device as well as determine if an NFS server is available on the network Software Features The LANtastic for TCP/IP software provides powerful terminal emulators that enable users to access applications, share printers, and transfer and manipulate files residing on remote hosts, just as if the users were directly connected. The LANtastic for TCP/IP software also supports many TCP/IP applications, terminal emulations, printing services, and protocols; is compatible with Microsoft Windows and any host TCP/IP product; and offers low RAM overhead. The LANtastic for TCP/IP software allows a network operating system to be configured so that the keyboard and screen can emulate one of the following terminals: VT100, VT220, VT240, VT320, and VT340; IBM 3270 Models 2,3,4 and 5. Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of innovative, cost-effective network communication solutions including the award-winning LANtastic Local Area Network. Recognized as the leader in peer-to-peer networking for DOS and Windows environments, the LANtastic network also offers multiplatform connectivity solutions for NetWare(R), TCP/IP and Macintosh systems. It allows up to 500 users on one network to connect and share information and peripheral devices such as printers, hard drives and CD-ROMs. Artisoft maintains nine 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.