IDEA Delivers Internet Terminal Server

PROVIDING IMMEDIATE WEB CONNECTIVITY AND E-MAIL FOR SNA TERMINAL USERS

Bedford, MA-- April 29, 1996-- IDEA, a leading provider of SNA and
multiprotocol internetworking solutions for IBM Mainframes, Midrange
Systems and Personal Computers, today announced the IDEA Internet Terminal
Server (ITS) for immediate delivery. The IDEA Internet Terminal Server
enables the over four million terminal users in IBM Mainframe and Midrange
networks to access the resources of the Internet/World Wide Web and to
become integrated with corporate Intranet applications. Supporting up to
64 concurrent sessions, the IDEA Internet Terminal Server provides
complete, character-based Web browsing, electronic mail and information
retrieval, storage and printing capabilities -- all from existing
desktops.

The explosive growth of the Internet and corporate Intranets has created
pockets of isolation in many IBM environments, because SNA terminal users
are unable to access the World Wide Web and corporate resources based upon
Internet technology. Industry estimates indicate that less than 5% of all
SNA users are integrated with the Internet or corporate Intranets. One
reason for this low degree of Internet penetration at SNA sites is the
high cost of replacing terminals with PCs or Unix workstations-- until
now, the only suitable alternatives. The IDEA Internet Terminal Server is
the first product to deliver comprehensive Internet/Intranet access for
existing SNA terminal users with no disruption to existing networks.

The IDEA Internet Terminal Server provides SNA terminal users with full,
character-based access to World Wide Web information, eliminating the
overhead of downloading large graphics files. This typically results in
significantly improved performance when compared to graphical browsers.
The ITS browser supports all standard browser features, including
"Bookmarks," "History," "Reload," "Previous," online help, etc. In
addition, the ITS offers a full SMTP-compatible E-mail package, which can
be used by itself or integrated into other E-mail/groupware applications.
Flexible printing and file transfer options also come standard.

"Alcatel began creating its own Intranet several years ago to improve
corporate communications," said Lothar Jung, Director Business Segment,
Workgroup Products, Alcatel Germany. "Currently, Alcanet spans five
continents and supports tens of thousands of users. All our PC users, Mac
users and workstation users have access to Web servers on Alcanet, but we
still have thousands of transaction processing users with IBM 3270-type
terminals who cannot get access to these servers. We can see the
advantages of using the IDEA Internet Terminal Server, since it enlarges
the reach of our Alcanet Web servers to include these terminal users
without having to go through massive equipment upgrades."

The IDEA Internet Terminal Server builds upon the "Crossover" technology
pioneered by IDEA in 1990 with the integration of TCP/IP and SPX/IPX into
SNA networks. Using similar techniques, IDEA is able to transform SNA data
streams into Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) encapsulated in HTTP (the
standard protocol for the World Wide Web). This data is then sent over the
Internet/Intranet. HTML data is likewise translated into SNA when it is
sent back to the desktop. Until now, users had to replace their SNA
terminals with PCs or Unix workstations to achieve Internet/Intranet
connectivity. The IDEA solution can provide this connectivity for as low
as $150/user, versus sometimes several thousand dollars for a PC-based
alternative. In addition, the Internet Terminal Server's SMTP-based E-Mail
capability enables SNA terminal users to become fully integrated into
corporate Intranet groupware applications.

The Internet Terminal Server is part of IDEA's overall Internet product
strategy for corporations and other medium to large-sized organizations.
IDEA is focused on providing high-value Internet/Intranet solutions which
integrate seamlessly with existing systems and networks. Other products in
IDEA's Internet product suite include the IDEA Internet Host Server, the
IDEA Internet Client Station and IDEA "Finder". The IDEA Internet Host
Server will be available in the 3rd Quarter and will provide highly
secure, real-time, "Live Web" AS/400 host data to any standard Web
browser. The IDEA Internet Client Station, which was demonstrated at Cebit
in Germany last month, is a true "network computer" offering the benefits
of reduced support costs, application portability and host connectivity at
a price point significantly below that of a PC. The Internet Client
Station will provide graphical browsing, SNA host access and the ability
to execute Java applets at the desktop. The Internet Client Station will
also be available in Q3. IDEA "Finder" is a Windows '95-based client
software product which provides Internet/Intranet users with a single
interface for file access, transfer, organization and file management
across multiple host types. IDEA Finder will be available this Quarter.

Pricing and Availability

The IDEA Internet Terminal Server is available for immediate shipment and
will be sold on a direct basis and through IDEA OEMs, Network Integrators,
Value Added Resellers and Distributors, worldwide. Pricing for the IDEA
Internet Terminal Server begins at $3,980, which includes a 16-user
license.

IDEA

IDEA designs, manufactures and markets data communications and networking
solutions that enable end-users to easily access data located on diverse
hosts and servers within heterogeneous enterprise networks. IDEA products
include IDEAcomm client software and emulation boards, IDEAConcert
communication processors for access to AS/400, mainframe and Unix hosts,
IDEA Transaction Stations and Desktop Client Stations, which unify
traditional terminal and PC LAN technologies.

IDEA products are targeted to users who need access to IBM mainframes,
AS/400s and the new Advanced 36 midrange computers, IBM System/36 and
System/38, Unix and other TCP/IP-based systems. With an installed base of
over one million connections worldwide, customers include all sizes of
industrial and manufacturing enterprises as well as entertainment and
service companies, financial and academic institutions and federal and
state agencies.
 
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