Lotus Announces Availability of Lotus Forms Version 1.0 Ships with
LotusScript 2.0, Support for VIM and MAPI, and Sample Templates

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 27, 1994 -- Lotus Development Corp. today announced
it is shipping Lotus Forms Version 1.0, Lotus' award-winning
electronic-forms software for designing, routing and tracking forms on
cc:Mail, Notes and Microsoft Mail systems, to automate business processes
for the workgroup or the extended enterprise. Lotus Forms 1.0 will be
generally available through Lotus Authorized Resellers in July, and priced
at $395 for the development version (Designer) with five run-time copies
(Fillers).

Lotus Forms will ship with LotusScript 2.0, Lotus' new object-oriented
programming language. LotusScript allows the developer to create
applications with sophisticated workflow processes, creating extensibility
in the building of forms or the writing of routing logic. Lotus Forms will
also include seven file-based ODBC drivers and 12 working templates that
can be readily customized and used as a virtual "LAN in a box" for
immediate pilot testing across distributed and multiple mail
environments.

With support for Vendor Independent Messaging and Messaging API, Lotus
Forms can circulate through the enterprise as standard file attachments to
cc:Mail, Notes and Microsoft Mail e-mail transports. Lotus Forms uses a
client-based workflow model, which stores the routing logic within the
form itself, allowing the form to travel on a predefined routing path that
may include routing the application beyond the LAN, delivering the form to
outside business partners, suppliers or customers, and then intelligently
circling the form back to the original mail system (or originator) if
needed. Lotus Forms differs in this respect from competitive products
since the form travels from client to client, establishing an automated
business process without reliance on a server-based model that prohibits
forms exchange among multiple mail systems.

"Lotus Forms is a messaging-reliant application that supports heterogeneous
environments for workgroups or the extended enterprise," said Larry Crume,
Lotus' vice president, Electronic Messaging and Mobile Computing. "Forms
leverages an organization's messaging infrastructure to improve business
processes and produce substantial savings from costs affiliated with the
storage and management of traditional paper forms."

Additionally, because Lotus Forms applications travel as attachments to
standard e-mail messages, Forms can support mobile professionals for true
extended enterprise computing. For example, a sales agent using cc:Mail
Mobile for Windows could open a customer Sales Order form and fill it.
Depending on the business process, the application designer could program
the form to conditionally route it to a district sales manager for his/her
signature, before the form travels to shipping and accounts receivables.

Routing and Tracking a Business Process

Depending on the business process, the Forms developer can define the
routing path which the form will take, automating its delivery from client
to client. Forms applications support: role-based and address-based
routing; serial and parallel routing; and conditional routing defined by a
LotusScript scenario.

To track routed forms, Lotus Forms employs two methods: direct tracking
through a database or via mail message transmissions. Using direct
tracking through a database, developers may use Notes or a number of
standard database formats supported by ODBC. Mail message transmissions
can track the form at a mailbox at each or any step in the route.

Lotus Forms comprises the Forms Designer, the forms-design tool for
application developers, and the Forms Filler, a runtime version for end
users. Forms Filler provides users with easy-to-use features for
inputting, editing, highlighting and annotation, including a red pen tool
for highlighting entries and a pop-up note editor for editing and
annotation.

Support for Lotus' Working Together Strategy

Through Notes/FX integration, Forms-based applications can also take
advantage of the powerful capabilities of Notes, enabling users to update
and access information from Notes databases. The integration with Notes'
powerful replication technology or use of cc:Mail Bulletin Boards will
allow companies to manage forms updates easily across the enterprise.

Lotus Forms also shares ease-of-use features with other Lotus applications.
For example, Forms supports Lotus' customizable SmartIcons and SmartStatus
bars, allowing developers to build applications exploiting the common look
and feel of Notes, cc:Mail and SmartSuite. Similar to Approach, Forms
includes Property Boxes with styles and properties to easily manipulate
and modify any object with one compact, easy-to-use palette that floats
above the user's work. Property Boxes give developers one template in
which to work, unlike other products where developers must switch between
two screens: a working area and the template. Forms is based on an object
model, where the developer clicks on the object to pop up the Property Box
that offers style options (i.e. fonts, colors, label names, field order,
etc.) appropriate to the object selected.

Award-winning Forms Package

Most recently, Lotus Forms was presented the "Best of COMDEX/Spring and
Windows World '94" award in the "Best of Software" category on May 25,
1994. The product was selected by the editorial staff of BYTE magazine
from among thousands of notable products shown at COMDEX/Spring in
Atlanta.

Pricing, Availability and Platform Support

Lotus Forms 1.0 will be available through Lotus Authorized Resellers in
July, and priced at $395 for the Designer with five Fillers. Additional
Fillers are $149 per user, with volume pricing available. Prices are for
the U.S. version. Lotus Forms runs on Microsoft Windows 3.1 for the
Designer and the Filler, with Filler support for Macintosh, OS/2, MS-DOS
and UNIX to follow. Lotus Forms ships with seven file-based ODBC drivers
including: dBase, FoxPro, MS Access, Paradox, Text, Microsoft SQL Server
and Notes access through SQL. Lotus Forms 1.0 will support OLE 1.0 server.
Forms Fillers will be available in major European languages within 90 days
of the US version. To run Lotus Forms in mixed cc:Mail/Notes/MS-Mail
sites, customers need to download the VIM to MAPI Dynamic Link Library
(DLL) file from Lotus' public BBS via modem by dialing 415-691-0401; or by
dialing into CompuServe at GO LOTUS.

Sample Templates

Lotus Forms with ship with 12 sample templates which include: telephone
message form, employment application, new employee form, weekly time
sheet, employee expense report, request for a quote, quotation record,
purchase order form, receiving summary, Lotus registration card, lead
response, and trip reservation form. An additional 15 templates will be
posted on CompuServe in the near term.

System Requirements

Lotus Forms requires Windows 3.1, VGA or Super VGA display, a mouse and a
486 PC (recommended) for the Designer and a 386 PC for the Filler. It has
a requirement of 4MB RAM for the Designer and the Filler, a 5 to 8 MB disk
space requirement for the Designer and a 3 to 6 MB disk space for the
Filler.

Training on Lotus Forms will be provided by Lotus' LAEC program beginning
in September. The LAEC program is a network of some 80 companies
authorized by Lotus to provide training for users, administrators and
developers on Lotus' communications products.

For more information on Lotus Forms, call 1-800 346-1305.

Lotus Development Corp. (NASDAQ: LOTS), founded in 1982, 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 now markets its products in
more than 80 countries worldwide and provides numerous support services,
both from its consulting division and its award-winning 24-hour support
center.

Lotus Development Corp
55 Cambridge Parkway
Cambridge, MA 02142
617-577-8500

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