Artisoft announces new LANtastic(R) Developer Alliance program; program certifies compatibility of third-party products with the LANtastic network operating system.

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 1995--Artisoft Inc. announced Monday its new LANtastic Developer Alliance program, which certifies the compatibility of third-party products with Artisoft's award-winning LANtastic network operating system.

The program is specifically focused on ensuring Artisoft's target market of small and growing businesses that the most popular small business software applications, hardware and operating systems work with the LANtastic system. More than 400 products are already compatible, and new developers and products are being added weekly.

"The LANtastic Developer Alliance program is building on the LANtastic network's reputation as the powerful and safe choice for small business networks because it offers widespread compatibility," said Bill Peterson, Artisoft Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

"This program will further ensure purchasers of the LANtastic network that they chose not only a powerful, easy-to-use and affordable network, but also a safe one because it works with hundreds of other products," he added.

The alliance program includes many of the accounting applications, databases and operating systems most frequently used by small and growing businesses. Artisoft has formed developer partnerships with accounting application vendors such as Peachtree Software Inc., Great Plains Software, SBT Accounting Systems and DacEasy Inc.; database vendors such as Borland International Inc.; and communication vendors such as Microcom Systems Inc.

"Small businesses in particular look to resellers for purchase recommendations for total solutions in which the PCs, applications, and network are all compatible," said Peter Bybee, Artisoft reseller and president of Peter Built Computers in San Diego, Calif.

"The LANtastic Developer Alliance is important to resellers like me because it enables us to confidently recommend, sell and support products that we know work well together," he added.

The program will provide resellers and end users a Small Business Resource Guide of all the products that work great with the LANtastic system as well as technical bulletins to assist with the installation of many of the products. The bulletins are available by fax through the Artisoft(R) FAXReturn system, on Artisoft's Arti-Facts BBS, the GO ARTISOFT forum on CompuServe(R) and the Artisoft BBS on the Internet.

"We're excited to be part of the launch of Artisoft's LANtastic Developer Alliance program. Given Artisoft's strength in the small business market segment, their outstanding reseller channel and their 2.7 million installed user base, we believe this presents a tremendous opportunity for our products," said Bill Goodhew, president of Peachtree Software Inc., an ADP Company.

Artisoft has made it easy for U.S. and international developers to join the alliance by offering certification through a simple self-administered test, at no cost to the developer. Developers of compatible products have the advantage of carrying the Artisoft logo on their packaging.

Program benefits include the opportunity to post technical installation and product marketing bulletins to assist resellers in choosing and installing the developer's product with the LANtastic network.

Alliance members also receive timely product information and evaluation copies of Artisoft products. An additional benefit is the opportunity to participate with Artisoft in joint marketing activities such as seminars, advertising campaigns and trade shows targeting resellers and the small business market. Developers' products are also featured in Artisoft's major reseller and end user communications.

For further information about joining the LANtastic Developer Alliance, vendors may call 1-520/670-7447.

Artisoft (NASDAQ:ASFT) is one of the world's leading suppliers of powerful, easy, affordable and safe networking solutions to small and growing businesses. The company offers the award-winning LANtastic network operating system as well as network management, backup and multiplatform connectivity systems. Artisoft maintains 10 international offices and distributes its connectivity products in more than 100 countries.

For more information about Artisoft or its product line, contact Artisoft Inc. at 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson AZ 85745. Sales 800/233-5564. Corporate 520/670-7100. Fax [phone].

CONTACT: Artisoft Inc.

Joe Stunkard, 520/670-7145 or 520/670-7101 (fax)

MCI Mail: 532-6657