America Online and Lotus to Distribute AOL Instant Messenger with Lotus Software Products.

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1997--

Companies Stress Products' Ease of Use, Convenience

AOL Networks, the Internet online services division of America Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL), and Lotus Development Corp. Monday announced the signing of an agreement under which Lotus and America Online will distribute AOL's real-time instant messaging service, AOL Instant Messenger(TM), with Lotus' eSuite Workplace, Smart Suite, and Notes products.

With AOL Instant Messenger, it will be possible for the millions of users of Lotus products to communicate instantly no matter which online service or Internet Service Provider they use.

Lotus users on the Internet will be able to engage in instant, real-time communication with other Internet and online service users as well as with the more than 13 million users already connected through AOL's Buddy List and AOL Instant Messenger(TM) features.

AOL Instant Messenger will be bundled with the next release of Lotus Notes and Smart Suite, and a future version of Lotus Notes will contain an integrated version of AOL Instant Messenger.

The Java version of AOL Instant Messenger will be distributed as an integrated component of Lotus' Java eSuite Workplace product, a convenient and easy-to-use suite of business applications that runs Java applets, launched today by Lotus. AOL will also make the eSuite calendar and mail applets available to its members worldwide and plans with Lotus to cooperate in delivering the eSuite Workplace to AOL members.

"Through this agreement with AOL, we will provide the millions of users of Lotus software with an instant and easy way to communicate with millions of AOL members and Internet users," said Joe Forgione, vice president of Business Development for Lotus' Internet Applications Division. "Because AOL understands the need to provide members with an easy, convenient online experience, it is the perfect partner in our eSuite Workplace product, with its easy-to-learn and easy-to-use 'thin' suite of business tools."

"We are pleased to work with the great innovators at Lotus to bring users of Notes, Smart Suite, and eSuite Workplace the same instant messaging capabilities that 13 million AOL Buddy List and AOL Instant Messenger users have come to know and rely on," said Bob Pittman, president and chief executive officer of AOL Networks. "At AOL, our hallmark has been simplicity and ease of use, and Lotus has built its reputation on the introduction of great business products whose very names like 1 2 3 speak of their ease of use.

"We are confident that the business users who have come to depend on Lotus to provide the best in workplace features and functionality will find that AOL Instant Messenger gives them new ways to enhance productivity, allowing them to communicate with friends, family and business associates in real time on the Internet in an efficient, easy-to-use and convenient way."

AOL Instant Messenger allows Internet users to send and receive private and personalized text messages instantly from friends, family and business colleagues. The Buddy List and Instant Message(TM) features are among the most widely used of AOL's capabilities; more than 130 million Instant Messages are sent every day on AOL.

AOL Instant Messenger makes it possible for Internet users worldwide to utilize the same technology utilized in AOL's Instant Message and Buddy List features, making Internet communications faster, easier and more efficient.

AOL Instant Messenger also enables fast and easy Internet communication by letting users know when other registered Instant Messenger users are online; after signing on, users can immediately see which of their colleagues are online to engage in immediate and real-time communication.

America Online Inc., based in Dulles, is the world's leading Internet online service, with over nine million members worldwide.

AOL, founded in 1985, offers its subscribers a wide variety of interactive services including electronic mail, Instant Message features, entertainment, reference, financial information, computing support, interactive magazines and newspapers, as well as easy access to all the services of the Internet. -0- Buddy List, Instant Message and AOL Instant Messenger are trademarks of America Online Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other America Online product and service names are also trademarks of America Online Inc. which may be registered in other countries.

CONTACT: America Online Inc.

Wendy Goldberg, 703/265-2359