New IBM Software Enables Applications for Wide-Area Radio Networks

SAN JOSE, CALIF., Feb. 21, 1996--IBM today announced a comprehensive
software family that takes existing network-centric applications and
enables them to operate over wireless nationwide services.

The new software, in conjunction with wireless modems such as those offered
by IBM, immediately extends a customer's networked systems to the many
areas covered by cellular networks and leading radio frequency network
providers RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS.

Customers such as insurance companies, airlines or national distributors
can use the ARTour software family to integrate wireless communications
and portable computers into pre-existing technology applications. These
applications might include field price quotations, shipment tracking or
order entry.

"Our customers want to leverage their investment in applications currently
using wired networks over this new wireless media. For customers with
hundreds or thousands of mobile workers, ARTour yields increased
productivity, both quickly and easily," said Don Haile, General Manager,
IBM Networking Software Division.

Network centric computing is IBM's strategy for providing customers with
"anywhere, anytime" computing and wireless technology is clearly a key
component for fulfilling that vision. ARTour provides access to the data
and applications infrastructure that enterprise customers built over
several decades.

ARTour Components

ARTour, which stands for Advanced Radio Communications on Tour, has both
client and server software to use as a foundation for enabling wireless
computing. They are:

* ARTour Mobile, client software operating on an OS/2 or Microsoft
Windows-based portable computer equipped with a packet radio network
modem, communicates through a wireless service provider to a customer's
home office computer network based on the open TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) standard.

* ARTour Gateway operates on an IBM RISC System/6000 which is connected to
both the home office computer network and the wireless service provider,
linking customer applications to the mobile communications system.

In addition, the ARTour family offers two optional applications for
enabling client/server applications over wireless networks. They are:

* ARTour Emulator Express Client, which emulates the actions of an AS/400
or System/390 terminal, filters out unnecessary transmission data and only
moves new or updated information over the radio network.

* ARTour Emulator Express Server offers connection to the many corporate
networks using IBM's secure and powerful Systems Network Architecture
(SNA), allowing access to applications such as those based on IBM's CICS
(Customer Information and Control System) or IMS (Information Management
System).

"The ARTour products' ability to seamlessly enable existing applications
for mobile networks will have a significant impact on the deployment of
wireless technology," said Bjorn Nordwall, Director U.S. Wireless Data
Devices, Ericsson Inc., which has a joint relationship with IBM to provide
wireless hardware for Mobitex. "The combination of IBM mobile hardware,
ARTour software and broad wireless network coverage gives corporate
America a compelling basis for investing in this exciting new
technology."

In addition, ARTour answers customer concerns over security and the cost of
transmission. The ARTour software includes both data encryption,
protecting data privacy during transmission, and authentication, ensuring
the validity of any user access.

ARTour supports several wireless networks and cellular systems, which
increases the viability of wireless data solutions. Current wireless
network support of ARTour is provided through both ARDIS and RAM Mobile
Data's Mobitex services. Initial emulator support includes the Cellular
Digital Packet Data (CDPD) standard now being endorsed by major cellular
service providers, with enhanced cellular support to be provided at a
later date.

Pricing and Availability

ARTour is immediately available for North American customers. Developed by
the IBM Scientific Center in Heidelberg, Germany, ARTour is already in use
at several major European and Asian customer sites.

Pricing for the ARTour software is highly dependent on customer
configuration and needs, meaning customers will require customized price
quotations. Without the optional emulation application, per user pricing
for the software ranges from approximately $345 for a 100 user
configuration, to $175 for a 1,000 user configuration. With the optional
emulation application, per user pricing ranges from approximately $645 for
a 100 user configuration, to $440 for a 1,000 user configuration.

In addition to ARTour, IBM Networking also provides a number of other
wireless products for wide area networking. These include wireless CDPD
modems and modems for the ARDIS and RAM Mobitex national networks. For
extending the reach of wired campus local area networks, IBM offers its
Wireless LAN product family. Information on IBM Wireless hardware can be
found on the World Wide Web at http://www

IBM, the world's largest computer company, creates, develops and
manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies,
including networking systems, software, computing systems, storage devices
and microelectronics.

For Internet users, IBM offers complete information about the company, its
products, services and technology on the World Wide Web. The IBM home page
is at http://www.ibm.com. The fastest, easiest way to get information
about IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home page at
http://www.software.ibm.com. Information about the IBM ARTour software
family is at http://www.raleigh.ibm.com.

Please Note: Questions about the content or currency of this press release
should be directed to your local IBM representative.
 
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