Network Software Associates Revolutionizes Connectivity Software Pricing

LAGUNA HILLS, CA, January 25, 1993--In a major move predicted to set a new
trend in PC-to-host software pricing, connectivity pioneer Network
Software Associates, Inc. (NSA) today revolutionized the pricing structure
for PC-based client-server communications software by announcing their new
SNA OpenLink Enterprise License.

SNA OpenLink is an innovative new software license that allows large SNA
network customers to pay a single license fee as low as $50 per user that
covers all major SNA PC-to-mainframe and PC-to-midrange protocols (3270,
5250 and APPC), PC operating systems (DOS, Windows, Windows NT, OS/2 and
Macintosh), and network connections (standalone, LAN and async).

The new license encompasses nine NSA client software products, four server
software products, and eight software link drivers. It also includes
client support for third-party LAN gateways such as Novell's NetWare for
SAA, IBM's PC/3270 and OS/2 gateways, Microsoft's Comm Server and others.

"Our strength has always been our full range of SNA connectivity solutions
for the widest variety of network environments," said NSA President/CEO
Isaac (Zak) Kong. "OpenLink now allows customers to take advantage of our
complete PC-to-mainframe and midrange product lines, move from product to
product, platform to platform, link to link, all within the provisions of
a single license. OpenLink is geared specifically to our historical target
market--large SNA enterprise customers with PCs, mainframe installations
and in many cases AS/400 midrange systems as well."

In related announcements, NSA today also announced a price reduction of
$100 in the single-copy price of DynaComm/Elite, NSA's 3270 software for
Windows, as well as a trade-in program for users of competitive 3270
emulators.

"Today is the start of a whole new ballgame," claimed NSA Chairman Earl D.
Jacobs. "We're challenging our competitors head-on with a range of
innovative and aggressive programs."

THE OPENLINK LICENSE

The SNA OpenLink Enterprise License is available in several versions,
ranging from a 1 00-user license to a 10,000-user license. Nine NSA
PC-based client software products are currently included (see Table 1),
encompassing SNA 3270, LU6.2/APPC and 5250 protocols. The license also
covers all future 3270, APPC and 5250 products and product upgrades.

OpenLink licensees can connect PCs to their mainframes and AS/400s using
NSA's entire library of link drivers, which includes support for Coax/DFT,
SDLC, IEEE 802.2, asynchronous, CCITT X.25, TCP/IP, NetWare IPX/SPX, and
NetBIOS links.

All NSA server software products are included in OpenLink (see Table 2).
These servers include LAN-to-mainframe and LAN-to-AS/400 gateways, and
asynchronous and X.25 servers. OpenLink also provides support for a range
of third-party LAN gateway servers.

"With OpenLink, the customer is buying a flexible and dynamic connection
capability, not just a single product," said Dr. Jacobs. "We let the user
mix and match as needed. This greatly simplifies purchasing and
administrative procedures. It also reduces customer concerns regarding
future evolution of their networks. Changes in LAN protocols, operating
systems and data links are completely accounted for within the provisions
of the license."

FUTURE PRODUCTS INCLUDED

NSA currently offers client communications software for DOS, Windows and
OS/2. Additional DOS and OS/2 products, as well as products for the
Macintosh and the forthcoming Windows NT operating system, will be
announced by the company in the future. OpenLink licenses include these
future products without any additional license fees.

"OpenLink is ideal for customers with growing and evolving networking
needs," said Russ Hertzberg, NSA's director of product marketing. "Prior
purchase credit incentives allow current NSA customers to apply the costs
of their past product purchases toward a new SNA OpenLink Enterprise
License."

$100 PRICE REDUCTION

The OpenLink license structure treats all protocols, platforms and link
types as equals. The price for each PC client is therefore the same
regardless of the platform or the connection type.

"Many software vendors charge more for Windows than DOS versions, and up
until now so did we," said Mr. Kong, NSA's president. "However, in light
of our OpenLink philosophy, we think this needs to change, and we're
putting our money where our mouth is. We are lowering the single-copy
price of our popular

DynaComm/Elite 3270 emulator for Windows by $100."

Single copies of DynaComm/Elite will now sell for only $395, the same as
NSA's top-of-the-line DOS 3270 emulator, 3270/ElitePlus. "After all, if an
OpenLink licensee pays the same price for Windows, DOS or OS/2," added Mr.
Kong, "then that should hold true for single-copy buyers as well."

TRADE-IN OFFER

"We feel certain that many current 3270 emulation users will want to take
advantage of our new way of thinking," said Mr. Kong. "As a result, we are
now offering our competitors' customers a generous trade-in allowance if
they decide to move up to our software."

Trade-in allowances will be negotiated on an individual basis.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The SNA OpenLink Enterprise License is available immediately. Prices range
from $25,000 for a 100-user license ($250 per user) to $500,000 for a 1
0,000-user license ($50 per user). The number of users refers to total
number of individual PC systems connecting randomly to host computers.

Network Software Associates, founded in 1980, develops, markets and
supports a wide range of PC software and hardware connectivity products
for IBM networking environments. NSA is a strategic partner of both IBM
and NCR/AT&T. The company is headquartered at 39 Argonaut, Laguna Hills,
CA 92656. Phone: (714) 768-4013 or (800) 352-3270.

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