Acotec -Virtual Motion- Announces Remote Access Manager Version 2.0.

SAN FRANCISCO/BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 1999--

Next Generation RAS (Remote Access Service) Manager Expands

Policy-based Management, Adds Unique Event Management Functionality

Acotec Advanced Communication Technologies (formed in October 1998 by the merger of Virtual Motion Inc. and Acotec GmbH), today announced Acotec Remote Access Manager(TM) 2.0, the most advanced and comprehensive remote access management solution for mission-critical dial-up networks based on Microsoft Windows (R) NT Server.

Acotec RAM 2.0 enables both local and remote management of any number of RAS servers. Acotec RAM 2.0 sits on top of Windows NT RAS (Remote Access Service) or RRAS (Routing and Remote Access Service), providing comprehensive policy-based resource management, access control, and usage reporting. Java-based for maximum flexibility, Acotec RAM 2.0 can be managed from any hardware platform. The easy to use GUI lets system administrators view an immediate real time picture of the remote access connectivity resources on a network.

With the new version of Acotec RAM, the system administrator can view multiple servers as one unit. Acotec RAM 2.0 concentrates the data from all RAS servers throughout the enterprise into a single report, and users can easily manage multiple RAS servers with a single set of policies. The scalable server architecture and web-based remote management permit the administration of an unlimited number of RAS servers -- even in different locations -- over a LAN or over the Internet.

Fault-tolerant logging ensures no loss of data even if communication between the RAM server and any of the RAS servers is lost. The Acotec RAM 2.0's RAS Port Manager component automatically takes over the function of backup database server.

With Acotec RAM 2.0, system administrators can establish policies (conditions under which user remote access is granted), and profiles (session restrictions applied to users) to increase system control and security. Extended event management provides warnings and invokes actions, such as disabling concurrent log-ins, limiting total connect time, and enforcing maximum idle times.

"In today's connectivity environment, administrators need to know what is happening and respond immediately," stated Ken Hilliard, CEO of Acotec Inc. "Acotec RAM 2.0 provides the system administrator with an invaluable tool for accomplishing this by taking the concept of policy-based management further, and adding event-driven management to automate immediate actions."

Acotec RAM 2.0 offers easy, secure, and cost-efficient user administration through the definition of user policies. Access rights, dial-in times, resource allocation, and general security settings can be centrally defined. The risk of system crashes is reduced by the centralized security for multiple servers. If one server crashes, dial-in rights can be made immediately available on another server in the group.

The evaluation and monitoring functions of Acotec RAM 2.0 facilitate immediate reaction to system problems. Acotec RAM 2.0 continuously monitors the status of the dial-in channels and the available capacity of each RAS server. The Internet-based messaging services inform the administrator when events arise. The administrator can easily define new events as needed.

Acotec RAM 2.0 addresses an explosive market. A recent report by IDC (Open Systems RAS Market Forecast and Review, 1997-2002) states that the ISDN and T1/PRI segment of the open systems is expected to increase 90% in revenue in 1999, showing a compound annual growth rate of 51% from 1998 through 2002.

"1999 is shaping up to be the `Year of the Open Systems RAS'," said Brad Baldwin, Director of Remote Access, International Data Corp. "Acotec and Virtual Motion's unique focus on Windows NT RAS management and communications applications, and their partnerships with leading NT-based hardware vendors, have allowed the company to quickly establish itself as the key provider of RAS management software. The advanced policy management and event management functionality in Acotec RAM 2.0 proves that the next generation of Remote Access solutions for Windows NT has arrived."

Acotec RAM has been selected as the RAS management solution of choice by the leading vendors of open systems Remote Access servers - 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS), Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) and SIEMENS Nixdorf. The software is also bundled by prominent RAS card vendors including Ariel Corporation (NASDAQ: ADSP), Digi International/ITK (NASDAQ: DGII), Eicon Technology Corporation (TSE: EIC; ME: EIC), Netaccess Inc a division of Brooktrout Technology (NASDAQ: BRKT), and RAScom Inc.

For more information, contact Virtual Motion/Acotec at [phone], by fax at [phone], or visit Virtual Motion/Acotec on the Web at www.virtualmotion.com and www.acotec.de.

About Acotec - Advanced Communication Technologies

Acotec - Advanced Communication Technologies was formed in October 1998 by the merger of Virtual Motion Inc., located in San Francisco, and Acotec GmbH Advanced Communication Technologies of Berlin, Germany. The company is a leading supplier in the market for Microsoft-based Remote Access Server and Client software. With the Acotec RAM series of Remote Access Management products, the company powerfully and efficiently connects remote computers to local networks and Internet Service Providers (telecommuting, teleworking, mobile computing). Acotec also provides standardized driver developments for operation in Microsoft environments to the suppliers of RAS communications hardware. With its headquarters in Berlin and San Francisco, Acotec addresses the most strategically important telecommunications markets in Europe and North America.