Lotus Announces Word Pro 96 Edition for OS/2 Warp

Outlines Technology Strategy for Delivering SmartSuite for OS/2 Warp
Applications Using IBM's Developer API Extensions

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 23, 1996 -- At the IBM Technical Interchange '96,
Lotus Development Corp. announced today that Word Pro 96 Edition for OS/2
Warp recently entered customer beta testing and will be generally
available in the United States this summer. Lotus Word Pro, Lotus'
full-featured word processor, is the first application to deliver Team
Computing features to OS/2 Warp users.

With its built-in Team Computing and Internet capabilities, Word Pro 96
helps teams of individuals work together more effectively by automating
the collaborative process of creating, reviewing and editing shared
documents. Lotus today also outlined its technology strategy and delivery
plans for its next generation SmartSuite applications for OS/2 Warp.
SmartSuite 96 for OS/2 Warp applications, including Word Pro, Freelance
Graphics, 1-2-3, Approach and Organizer, are based on common 32-bit code
bases, allowing Lotus to more quickly deliver cross-platform advances in
both personal and team productivity on OS/2 and Windows. In addition to
breakthrough features such as TeamReview and TeamConsolidate, the new
applications will include extensive Internet access and publishing
functionality, as well as a new level of programmability with
LotusScript.

"Lotus is excited about delivering a new generation of OS/2 business
applications beginning with Lotus Word Pro," said Jeff Papows, executive
vice president and chief operating officer. "We believe customers will be
pleased with the enhancements we have achieved in these products."

IBM Developer API Extensions Ease OS/2 Application Development

Lotus has adopted a technology strategy for its OS/2 development efforts in
which major portions of the SmartSuite for OS/2 applications are developed
using IBM Developer API Extensions. This innovative set of tools enables
application developers to build cross-platform applications for OS/2 and
Windows using a common source code base. The Developer API Extensions
extend the OS/2 Warp API set to include those most commonly used in 32-bit
Windows programs. In practice, Lotus has found that as much as 90 percent
of the code can be reused in writing OS/2, Windows 95 and Windows NT
applications.

"Lotus is demonstrating how the Developer API Extensions save developers
time and money while opening up an entirely new market for them," said
Wally Casey, vice president of client product management for IBM Personal
Software Products. "Other developers are following Lotus' lead and we hope
many more will be inspired by their success."

Word Pro for OS/2 Warp Offers Breakthrough Team Computing, Internet
Features, Individual Productivity and Integration

With its unique Team Computing features, Lotus Word Pro automates the
process of editing and reviewing documents. TeamReview in Word Pro enables
the user to quickly and easily distribute a document for review via floppy
disk, e-mail, network, Internet/Intranet, or Lotus Notes. The document's
author can easily assign access and editing rights for each individual
reviewer, thereby maximizing control over the editing process. Once
multiple edits are made to a document by the reviewers specified in
TeamReview, Word Pro's TeamConsolidate feature automates the process of
seamlessly accepting, rejecting and consolidating these edits into one
final draft. Word Pro is also the only word processor that provides
built-in, direct Internet and World Wide Web support, allowing users to
access, share and publish information via the Internet from within their
familiar desktop environment. Direct Internet access means that a Word Pro
document can be opened from an FTP or Web server without having to first
save it locally with a browser. Word Pro also provides the tools needed to
create and edit HTML files, including HTML 3.0, and save them directly to
the Internet without having to type cryptic tags and codes.

In addition, Word Pro offers extensive individual productivity
enhancements, including:

o Lotus InfoBox, a new one-stop shopping tool for changing the attributes
of a selected item, streamlining everyday tasks;

o SmartMasters, professionally designed templates that let users create a
wide range of documents from memos and letters to complex business
documents;

o SmartControls, which enable users to easily organize and navigate a
document with tools such as Divider Tabs, Page Gauge and Page Sorter;

o SmartSense technology, which provides tools including SmartCorrect,
SmartEditing and Format Check to increase individual productivity; and

o Ask the Expert, a personalized way to get help in Word Pro using
natural-language queries.

Word Pro is well integrated with the Lotus product line including shared
code with the new generation of SmartSuite for OS/2 applications, for
common features such as charting and InfoBox. In addition, Word Pro uses a
common file format for sharing work between Word Pro for OS/2 and Word Pro
for Windows users. Documents from other word processors are easily shared
as well, including documents created in DeScribe, WordPerfect, Word and
DCA/RFT. For example, users can directly import a WordPerfect or Word
document, edit that document in Word Pro, and save it out in that same
WordPerfect or Word file format without losing any formatting or data. For
enhanced programmability, Word Pro includes LotusScript, Lotus' new
object-oriented, BASIC scripting language, common across all Lotus
applications, including Lotus Notes.

As a native OS/2 application, Word Pro 96 for OS/2 Warp leverages OS/2's
strengths as a stable and reliable, third-generation 32-bit operating
platform. Word Pro's Workplace Shell integration provides intuitive ways
for users to work with information, including drag-and-drop file printing
and management.

For example, users can now save an open file by dragging it to a folder on
the desktop. They can also create new documents with a click of the mouse
with Word Pro's new content-based SmartMasters, included as icons in the
OS/2 templates folder. Additionally, Word Pro's new LotusScript
programming language includes support for REXX, to enable more powerful
application development on the OS/2 platform.

Pricing and Availability

Lotus Word Pro 96 Edition for OS/2 Warp, which entered beta in March, is
expected to be available in the United States this summer for an estimated
retail price (ERP) of $105 (on CD-ROM only), with a $20 in-box rebate
coupon offered for all current Lotus product users. As a limited time,
introductory offer, current users of Describe and WordPerfect for OS/2
will also be eligible for the $20 rebate.

Lotus Freelance Graphics 96 Edition for OS/2 Warp will enter beta in May,
followed by beta testing of the new releases of 1-2-3, Approach and
Organizer for OS/2 Warp in the second half of the year. Lotus SmartSuite
96 for OS/2 Warp is expected to ship in Q3 1996 and will include the new
releases of Word Pro and Freelance Graphics, and for registered users,
automatic shipment of the new versions of 1-2-3, Approach and Organizer as
they become available. The ERP for SmartSuite 96 for OS/2 Warp will be
$399 (CD-ROM only). Users of any Lotus or competitive suite, word
processor, spreadsheet, database or presentation graphics application can
upgrade to SmartSuite 96 for OS/2 Warp for an ERP of $149.

OS/2 customers who purchase SmartSuite for OS/2 or SmartSuite for Windows
3.1 applications between April 23, 1996, and shipment of SmartSuite 96 for
OS/2 Warp, can upgrade to respective Lotus' new OS/2 releases for a
shipping and handling charge of $10 for standalone and $15 for suite
purchases by calling Lotus Customer Service at 1-800-343-5414 in the U.S.
or 1-800-GO-LOTUS in Canada.

As part of Lotus' Global Product Strategy, French, Italian, German, Spanish
and International English versions of SmartSuite 96 for OS/2 Warp will
ship simultaneously with the U.S. English version. Information on
additional language versions will be made available closer to shipment.
Lotus Development Corp., a subsidiary of IBM Corp., offers high quality
software products and support services that reflect the company's unique
understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must
work together to achieve success. Lotus' innovative approach is evident in
a new class of applications that allows information to be accessed and
communicated in ways never before possible, both within and beyond
organizational boundaries.

The company also provides numerous support services, both from its
consulting division and its award-winning 24-hour support center.

All prices and terms are for the USA only.

EDITOR'S NOTE: All Lotus news releases and other SmartSuite collateral are
available on the Internet, via the Lotus Development Corp. Home Page at
http://www.Lotus.com. The Lotus Home Page is an easy way to find
information about Lotus and its business partners' products and services.

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