MERIDIAN DATA ADDS POWERFUL SOFTWARE FOR MANAGING UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CDs
OVER MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT SERVER-BASED NETWORKS

New Universal Windows-Based Client Applications Enable Cross-Platform CD
Access for Windows NT Server and NetWare Networks

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (January 30, 1996) -- Meridian Data, Inc.
(NASDAQ/NMS: MDCD) today announced CD NET V2.0 FOR WINDOWS NT, powerful
new application tools for managing and accessing CD ROMs over the
Microsoft" Windows NT Server operating system. Significantly enhancing its
industry- first CD Net for Windows NT product, Meridian's new suite of
client applications for the Windows" operating system includes remote
administrative tools for securing, managing and launching an unlimited
number of CD ROMs, and end-user tools for accessing CD applications
automatically.

The new software enables clients to access CDs from multiple servers on a
Windows NT-based network using an intuitive graphical interface- -an
industry first. The ability to share CDs anywhere on the network increases
productivity: installed PCs do not need to be retrofitted with CD ROM
drives; organizational sneaker net is eliminated; and asset control of
discs and subscriptions is optimized.

"With Meridian's advanced networking applications, administrators and users
of Windows NT Server now have Windows-based tools for controlling and
accessing CD ROM information," said Gianluca Rattazzi, president and chief
executive officer of Meridian Data. "As businesses increasingly deploy
Windows NT Server-based solutions throughout their organizations, the
ability to uniformly manage and grow their CD resources--frequently
operating in mixed Microsoft and Novell environments--has become very
important."

"We're pleased that Meridian Data is delivering these innovative CD
networking tools for Windows NT Server," said Mike Nash, group product
manager for Windows NT Server at Microsoft Corp. "This provides our
customers with even more choices available to them when adopting Windows
NT Server solutions."

New CD Client Applications

The new CD Net software includes a new suite of client productivity
applications: CD MANAGER for the network administrator, and CD USER for
the end-user. With Meridian's universal client graphical user interface
(GUI), the Windows-based tools vastly simplify the process of managing and
using CDs. The software enables authorized network users to simultaneously
share individual disc titles, subject to licensing provisions which can be
enforced through its metering utility.

CD MANAGER provides both logical resource and physical device views of the
compact disc resources available on each Windows NT Server. It allows the
administrator to see an unlimited number of CD ROM drives and establish
disc/user share points on multiple servers from one remote Windows-based
PC--an industry first. The remote management GUI tools enable CD volume
groups to be created, edited, deleted and mounted. The number of CD ROMs
mounted to an individual servers is not limited to the number of available
drive letters.

Once share points are established, clients can simultaneously access CDs on
any server on the network--another industry first--viewing them as
individual discs or grouped as subdirectories under desktop drive
letters.

CD User gives the network client a simple, icon-based menu interface for
accessing CD ROMs. With this interface, the administrator or user has the
ability to launch applications, create and edit multiple menu databases,
browse for resources and create desktop icons. Its highly-configurable
feature set allows the administrator to tailor different levels of service
for expert or novice users.

The administrator can easily associate CD content (files) with an
application (program). A typical association might be a specialized
database (i.e., legal, education, healthcare, etc.) with its specific
search engine. Once set up, each title is represented as an icon in the CD
User graphical menu or on the network user's desktop. The CD is launched
by simply double-clicking on the icon. This unique feature increases user
productivity by automating network connections to shared CD ROM databases
and application programs. The software takes care of client connection to
and disconnection from share points in Windows NT Server, assigning and
freeing up resources as required.

Standard network operating system vendors do not include features such as
Meridian's automated CD ROM application launcher. The new CD Manager and
CD User client applications provide common resource management tools for
mixed Microsoft Windows NT and Novell NetWare environments--an industry
first.

Broad Network Platform Support

CD Net for Windows NT is easily configurable on existing Windows NT
Servers--adding CD ROM services to database, print, file and
communications services. For heavy-use installations, a dedicated PC
server with a large number of attached CD ROM drives can be configured
using Windows NT Server or Windows NT Workstation. Meridian also offers
the CD Net 914/W and 956/W line of integrated CD ROM servers, supporting
up to 56 high-performance 4x- or 6x-speed SCSI drives per server.

The new Meridian software provides multiuser simultaneous CD ROM access for
graphical 32- and 16-bit network clients running the Windows NT
Workstation, Windows" 95, Windows 3.x and Windows" for Workgroups
operating systems. It also enables native drive letter access for clients
running OS/2 or the MS-DOS" operating system.

Pricing, Availability and Promotion

CD Net v2.0 for Windows NT begins shipping in approximately 30 days. The
new server software, configured with unlimited-user license, has a
suggested list price (U.S.) of $995. Client software pricing starts at
$795 for a 25-user license, with initial-purchase options available for
50- and 100-user licenses at $1,295 and $1,995, respectively. The product
is compatible with Windows NT Server 3.51 and Windows NT Workstation 3.51
(or higher).

The existing CD Net v1.0 for Windows NT server-only product will continue
shipping in the interim. It has been price-reduced to $995 for an
unlimited-user license, a savings of $1,000 compared to current pricing.
Effective through March 1, 1996, Meridian is also offering a promotional
bundle which includes the server-only product and a 100-user client
license coupon. Priced at $1,995, this promotion provides an additional
savings of $995. Coupons will be fulfilled directly through Meridian
immediately following first customer shipment date of CD Net v2.0 for
Windows NT.

The CD Net 914/W and 956/W integrated servers, starting at $12,795 for an
Ethernet-based 7-drive system, include the server software and 25-user
client license coupon.

About Meridian Data

Founded in 1986, Meridian Data is a leading provider of CD ROM networking
software and systems. Its high-productivity CD solutions are widely
employed throughout Fortune 500 and government businesses.

Meridian is headquartered in Scotts Valley, Calif., and maintains offices
in Lawrenceville, N.J., Herndon, Va., Atlanta, Ga., Naperville, Ill., and
London, England. The company's products are available through leading
distributors and value-added resellers.

Contact: Richard Krueger
Meridian Data, Inc.
408/438-3100

Contact: Laurel Redden/Jeannie Barbieri-Low
The Hoffman Agency
408/286-2611
 
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