Edge Research Ships HiTest Tools for Lotus Notes

Gives Developers Powerful Tools for Customizing Notes

NEW YORK, NY, June 28, 1994 --Edge Research Inc. announced today at PC Expo
that it has released the first three components of the HiTest Tools suite
of utilities for Lotus Notes: HiTest API, htGLUE and htVISUAL. HiTest API,
Edge's core product, is an enhanced C language API that is the foundation
for htGLUE and htVISUAL. htGLUE is an optional interface layer for
application developers who want to call the HiTest API from Visual Basic,
Visual Basic For Applications or LotusScript. htVISUAL is a rich set of
twelve drag and drop visual components (VBXs). HiTest Tools are available
for electronic download from several sources with no licensing charge for
the first two copies at any one company.

The HiTest API is layered on top of the regular Notes API and provides
error handling, an object model and support for Microsoft and IBM
compilers. Windows and OS/2 1. 3 versions are 16 bit implementations, the
OS/2 2.1 version supports 32 bit programming when used with the IBM C Set
++ compiler. HiTest API provides single function support for operations
such as macro execution, full text search, sending mail and composite
import/export. HiTest API also includes functions for metadata browsing,
data access with automatic data conversion, and high level manipulation of
rich text.

There are two versions of htGLUE, one for Visual Basic and Visual Basic For
Applications, and one for LotusScript 2.0. With htGLUE-VB, links can
easily be built between Notes and VBA-enabled applications such as
Microsoft Excel and Access 2.0. The LotusScript version, htGLUE-LS, works
with Lotus Forms and Notes ViP. Both versions of htGLUE require the
presence of the HiTest API dynamic link library.

Programming Lotus Notes From Visual Basic

VB programmers who want to build Notes applications without writing any VB
code can use htVISUAL. Each htVISUAL component is a "piece" of the
standard Notes UI that can be mixed and matched with other VB controls to
create tailored Notes interfaces. The component set includes controls for
views, rich text editing and display, mail, and a data grid.

Piped Properties, a generalization of the data-aware approach, is used to
bind htVISUAL controls to each other, e.g., documents to views or
databases to servers, with just a couple of mouse clicks. Combining htGLUE
with htVISUAL controls provides even more functionality. The controls are
also usable in other VBX-compatible environments such as Visual C++.

"HiTest Tools provide users with expanded programmability options for
building and deploying Notes applications, adding to the growing numbers
of Notes value-added products, n said Jeff Papows, vice president of the
Lotus Notes Product Division. "Edge's HiTest Tools leverage the power of
Notes applications developers working in LotusScript, C, or VisualBasic."

"We knew that Edge products would have a major impact on the Notes
application development process, " said Mark Klein, founder and president
of Edge Research. "What we didn't realize was how broad a spectrum our
users would encompass-independent software developers, corporate IS
developers, and Notes power users."

Availability and Pricing

HiTest Tools can be downloaded from CompuServe, Ziffnet, anonymous FTP on
the Internet, and from Edge Research's Notes databases on WorldCom. Edge's
WorldCom distribution database includes downloadable products in the
Product Warehouse view, a Release Notes view, a Sample Applications view,
a Discussion view, and a Support Bug Report/Response view. Companies that
choose to deploy the tools suite beyond the first two copies can purchase
licenses in bulk, starting at 100 seats. Introductory pricing through
August 31, 1994 for 100 seats is $1995.

For more information contact Edge at (603) 431-5300, (603) 427-3541 (fax)
or via Notes Net: Mark Klein @ Edge Research @ Notes Net.

Edge Research is a privately held company that was founded in 1993 to build
Notes tools and utilities. In addition to the products described here, the
company has also announced and is currently beta testing ImageBasic For
Lotus Notes, an extensive imaging toolkit developed cooperatively with
Diamond Head Software that uses Notes as its object store. In addition to
its product development activities, the company conducts a substantial
Notes-oriented consulting practice. Edge runs an electronic enterprise,
distributing its software via CompuServe, Ziffnet, WorldCom and the
Internet. Its offices are at One Harbour Place, Suite 455, Portsmouth, NH
03801.

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