Apex unveils companion products for OutLook switch.

WOODINVILLE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 1997--

New Switches Provide Integrated Solutions For Managing Computer

Room Peripherals

Apex PC Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEX) today announced two new products designed to give network administrators a more efficient, cost-effective and convenient way to manage computer room peripherals. Apex is the industry leader in console switching technology and server cabinets for the client/server environment.

The A-1000 connects to a PC's multimedia ports, providing switching capabilities for such peripherals as sound cards, speakers and microphones. The product can be used with the OutLook(TM) switch or as a stand-alone device. According to Chris Sirianni, vice president of sales and marketing for Apex, the A-1000 was developed in response to customer requests for additional switching capabilities and is a prime example of Apex's emphasis on customer-driven engineering.

"After we had helped a major software developer and a top PC manufacturer consolidate the console equipment in their computer rooms, both companies approached us saying, `Look, we've got a set of speakers hooked up to almost every server in our lab and it's just ridiculous,'" said Sirianni. "And they were right -- it was. Now, with the A-1000, they can connect a single microphone and set of speakers to eight servers and always be interfacing, automatically, with the server that's up on their console."

The S-1000 connects to a server's serial ports, providing switching capabilities for RS232C-type devices such as modems, printers, touchscreens and serial mice. As with the A-1000, development of the S-1000 began in response to a customer's request for a companion to the OutLook. In this case, a medical equipment manufacturer was looking for a way to add switching capabilities to synchronize an additional touchscreen monitor with its normal display, according to Sirianni.

"The manufacturer was using OutLook to switch between several servers connected to a single console," said Sirianni. "But since the touchscreen is connected to the serial port, they had to make a manual selection every time they switched servers. Now the S-1000 does this for them automatically."

The A-1000 and S-1000 do for multimedia and serial port devices what Apex's console switching products do for monitors, keyboards and mice. Designed to eliminate the costs and administrative problems of connecting a separate console to each server, Apex's switches enable network managers to access multiple servers from a single, centralized console, reducing excess power consumption and eliminating costly, space-consuming equipment.

As one of Apex's most popular switches, OutLook was designed especially for the multi-platform computing environment. OutLook lets network administrators access up to 64 servers from a single console and works across platforms as diverse as Intel, Macintosh, RS-6000, HP-9000 and Sun. Using Apex's unique on-screen interface, called OSCAR(TM) (an acronym for On-Screen Configuration And Reporting), OutLook provides visual feedback on system connections as they occur, while offering standard Apex features like password security, programmable broadcasting and user-definable scanning.

As companion products for use with OutLook, the A-1000 and S-1000 are an obvious extension of Apex's existing product line, according to Sirianni.

"As the pace of client/server computing continues to accelerate, companies are encountering more and more challenges in managing their networks," he said. "Apex has always considered itself a total solutions provider for the corporate computer center, and the introduction of the A-1000 and S-1000 is another indication of that."

The A-1000 and S-1000 are currently available from Apex at $748 each.

Company Background

Apex PC Solutions designs, manufactures and markets stand-alone console switching systems and integrated cabinet solutions for the client/server computing market. Apex switching systems enable client/server network administrators to manage multiple servers from a single keyboard, video monitor and mouse configuration (a "console") to more efficiently manage their organization's complex and growing server populations.

Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical information are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. In addition, prior financial results of the Company are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future and the Company believes that such comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance. Factors which could affect the Company's operating and financial results are described in the Company's Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period ended December 31, 1996, and March 28, 1997, respectively, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT: Apex PC Solutions

Douglas A. Bevis

Chief Financial Officer

425/402-9393

http://www.apexpc.com