May 4, 1992--MOBILE, AL....QMS, Inc. today announced a new network
interface option and a substantial price reduction for its QMS-PS 2000
PostScript departmental laser printer. The new Multi-Protocol Network
Interface uses a single Ethernet printer interface to simultaneously serve
DECnet and TCP/IP networks typically found in mixed VMS/UNIX computing
environments.

The Multi-Protocol Network Interface is printer-resident, uses a Motorola
68020 MPU to manage Ethernet data traffic to the printer, and supports
thick and thin wire Ethernet (802.3) connections.

The U.S. list price for the QMS-PS 2000 print system is reduced from
$15,995 to $12,995, effective immediately. The price reduction is the
result of higher volume production of the printer, which was introduced in
April of 1991.

"A departmental printer must serve the diverse printing needs of an entire
corporate department, even if that department uses dissimilar computing
systems and networks," states Richard Bowles, director of QMS Product
Marketing. "Based on the QMS Crown multitasking operating system, the
QMS-PS 2000 printer features a modular design and extensive connectivity
capabilities which make it easy to configure for different environments
and to add enhancements and options such as the Multi-Protocol Network
Interface. With the new interface, users in mixed VMS/UNIX environments
can share the same fully featured laser print system without the expensive
third party connectivity devices and performance limitations normally
associated with cross-protocol network printer sharing."

Markets 

Designed for the large and growing number of computing installations where
DEC VMS and UNIX-based systems are connected to the same Ethernet network,
the Multi-Protocol Network Interface brings QMS-PS 2000 print system users
cost and performance benefits not possible with more traditional network
printing arrangements.

One traditional approach used in configuring printers for multiple network
environments is to use a separate printer for each network. In this type
of configuration, separate connections to the network are established
through file servers or dedicated print servers which, in turn, use serial
or parallel ports to communicate with the printers. Two distinct
disadvantages to this approach are the cost of separate printers and the
slower performance of parallel and serial connections. Recently, some
print systems have established direct connection to the Ethernet network
but have not been capable of serving multiple protocols over the same
connection.

Direct Network Connectivity 

By establishing a direct connection between the QMS-PS 2000 printer and
Ethernet networks, the Multi-Protocol Network Interface brings some
important advantages to users. One of these advantages is in the use of
the higher Ethernet bandwidth, as opposed to parallel or serial
connections, to provide faster print data throughput and better
performance for both the printer and the network.

Another important advantage is gained by incorporating the DECnet and
TCP/IP protocols in the interface firmware, which allows the QMS-PS 2000
printer to be placed anywhere along the network. The user is not hampered
by the serial or parallel cable limitations normally associated with file
or print server configurations.

QMS-PS 2000 Departmental Print System 

The QMS-PS 2000 printer is a RISC-based departmental laser print system
designed to serve an entire corporate department with up to 40 users.
Sharing this high-performance printer across a large number of users,
particularly when the computing environment consists of dissimilar hosts
and networks, significantly reduces the cost per user and makes advanced
capabilities such as 11" x 17"/A3 printing and duplexing available to many
more users.

In addition to simultaneous support of multiple protocols over the optional
Ethernet interface, the QMS-PS 2000 printer provides resident host and
network support through its standard LocalTalk and RS-232C serial
interfaces, and a parallel interface configurable as either Centronics or
Dataproducts short line parallel.

The printer's Simultaneous Interface Operation (SIO) feature allows all the
printer's interfaces, including optional interfaces, to be connected to
networks and host computers at the same time and receive data
simultaneously. Additionally, the printer is equipped for printer-resident
spooling over each interface to offload data from the network faster,
return the host CPU to the user more quickly, speed printer throughput,
and eliminate the need for additional third-party print spooling and
printer sharing devices.

Another QMS-PS 2000 print system feature is its Emulation Sensing Processor
(ESP) technology. Using a form of artificial intelligence, ESP technology
analyzes incoming file data from any of the printer's interfaces. ESP
technology, which works with most popular commercially available
applications, selects the appropriate printer language from those
installed on the printer and processes the print job, freeing the user
from the need to change printer switch settings or send software commands
to accommodate different printer languages. Standard QMS-PS 2000
emulations include PostScript software from Adobe, HP PCL level 4, and
HP-GL 7475A/7550A. DEC LN03+ emulation is standard with the Multi-Protocol
Network Interface.

Pricing and Availability 

The $3,000 price reduction for the QMS-PS 2000 printer is effective
immediately and the printer may be ordered in the U.S. through QMS direct
sales. The Multi-Protocol Network Interface is expected to be available
after June 15 from QMS direct sales. Upgrades for current QMS-PS 2000
print system users, with either a DECnet or TCP/IP interface, are
available now. Customers may contact QMS Product Information or their QMS
sales representatives for pricing on the Multi-Protocol Network Interface
and upgrades.

QMS, Inc. is a leader in the rapidly expanding nonimpact print systems
market. The company offers a wide selection of intelligent laser and
thermal transfer printers in electronic publishing, office automation,
advanced imaging, and automatic identification applications for
single-user and networked environments. QMS, Inc. is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol AQM.

QMS, One Magnum Pass, PO Box 81250, Mobile, AL 36689-1250
205-633-4300     800-523-2696

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