IDEA Offers Enhanced IBM Midrange Multi-host Access for Windows 95
LAN-based Users

USER AVAILABILITY OPTIONS PROVIDE INCREASED FUNCTIONALITY

BEDFORD, MASS., May 20, 1996 -- IDEA, a leading provider of data access
solutions for IBM host and network-based applications, today announced the
availability of two new products: an enhanced version of IDEAcomm Midrange
Client (MRC), its industry-leading host connectivity software, and an MRC
Suite of connectivity products. Both provide improved data access and
retrieval, along with reduced costs and greater efficiency for Windows 95,
LAN-based PC users.

MRC software, Release 4.0, provides complete connectivity for LAN, remote
or twinax, users running Windows 3.x or Windows 95 PCs and supports
connections to System 36, AS/400 or the Advanced 36 hosts. MRC is the only
single package on the market that supports both operating systems as well
as the largest number of connectivty types and hosts. In addition, MRC
supports TN5250 emulation, enabling users with PCs on token-ring or
Ethernet LANs to connect to AS/400s utilizing the standard TCP/IP
protocol.

Freddy Gonzalez, Manager of MIS/Western Hemisphere for Tamrock Mining, an
international excavation and mining equipment company based in Miami, is
using MRC to link sites in Latin America via satellite to the AS/400 at
its worldwide headquarters. "Using host resources efficiently, MRC frees
my AS/400 to do what it was made for -- processing," said Gonzalez. "IDEA
provides an efficient and cost-effective solution that supports both my
Windows 95 and Windows 3.x users."

A differentiating feature of MRC 4.0 is IDEArouter (APPC router), designed
and developed by IDEA. IDEArouter provides users with greater efficiency,
simplified configuration routines and lower overhead costs than
competitive products through direct access to multiple midrange hosts from
a single desktop. This router functionality provides direct access to
multiple systems, rather than pass-through access. IDEArounter offers
enhancements to the user interface, on- demand configuration and user
definable passwords and supports both token-ring and Ethernet
LAN-connected PCs.

The MRC Suite includes MRC 4.0 (including IDEArouter) and IDEAodbc, which
together provide a complete and cost-effective LAN-based information
access solution for the PC user. IDEAodbc provides direct PC-to-host data
access from standard PC applications and utilizes the industry-standard
protocol, DRDA (Distributed Relational Database Access), in the AS/400 to
support standard ODBC driver access for PC users running PC query
applications, such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and Powersoft
PowerBuilder. Because it connects directly to the host operating system,
IDEAodbc does not require the use of additional PC or host software, such
as host proxy software or third-party APPC routers.

"IDEA is committed to providing PC-to-host solutions for users today and
beyond as they migrate to open Windows 95 or Windows NT client/server
solutions, " said Pamela Ravesi, product manager for IDEA's IDEAcomm
product line. "We believe it is crucial in today's heterogeneous work
environment to provide solutions that support dissimilar operating
systems, connection types and hosts to address the changing needs of our
users".

Availability and Pricing

MRC 4.0 is now available at a suggested retail list price of $395 per user.
Bundle packs, site licenses and enterprise licences also are available.
Customers using previous versions of MRC may upgrade for $59.95. MRC Suite
is available at a suggested retail list price of $495. Pricing applies in
the United States only. Outside the United States, pricing is determined
on a country-by-country basis by IDEA's worldwide network of subsidiaries
and distributors.

IDEA for Information Access

IDEA designs, manufactures and markets client/server, information access
solutions that enable end-users to easily access data located on multiple
hosts and servers within a corporate intranet. With an installed base of
more than 1,000,000 users worldwide, customers include all sizes of
industrial and manufacturing companies, entertainment and service
companies, financial and academic institutions, and federal and state
agencies.
 
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