Avid Technology selects HP OpenMail electronic-messaging software.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 1995-- Hewlett-Packard Company today announced that Avid Technology has selected HP OpenMail as its worldwide communications medium for customers, employees, resellers and other key Avid correspondents. Avid Technology, Inc. is a leading international supplier of comprehensive solutions for capturing, creating, editing and distributing digital media. A scalable and robust electronic-messaging package, HP OpenMail was chosen over competing software packages as the only viable solution to accommodate Avid's information demands effectively.

Avid says it currently is deploying more than 1,000 internal seats and will offer HP OpenMail accounts to potentially thousands of external users. HP OpenMail is expected to be a critical piece of Avid's customer communications.

"At Avid, electronic messaging is much more than just e-mail," said Mark Fargnoli, MIS operations manager for Avid Technology. "It's information exchange between people and computers and between our customers and employees, on an international scale. After comparing existing packages, HP OpenMail was the only messaging software that could meet our information requirements across all hardware platforms -- and at an affordable price."

HP OpenMail provides a standards-based, open-systems messaging infrastructure through which any type of file can be packaged, addressed and routed in a secure, reliable and efficient manner. An HP OpenMail server can support thousands of users, as well as tens of thousands of users across a range of processors. HP OpenMail also can be administrated and managed centrally. These factors reduce the administration, management and operating costs of a messaging infrastructure.

HP OpenMail also offers a great deal of flexibility. It is built around the CCITT X.400 standard and can use X.400 or SMTP as an MTA (message transfer agent) for server-to-server communication. For client connections, HP OpenMail supports industry-leading client APIs, such as CMC, MAPI and VIM, through which any mail-enabled application -- mail client, workgroup application or personal productivity tool -- has a single and direct point of access to the messaging infrastructure. This provides consistent addressing, packaging and routing services for all HP OpenMail supported clients regardless of client provider.

To help Avid facilitate a successful implementation of its OpenMail solution, HP's Professional Services Organization (PSO) has provided extensive consulting services. PSO consultants created a comprehensive electronic-messaging architecture plan that takes into account the future phases of the OpenMail rollout, worldwide. The flexible client/server architecture allows for the eventual implementation of additional thousands of seats while incorporating Avid's existing, proprietary e-mail applications.

HP ELECTRONIC-MESSAGING SOLUTION

HP's electronic-messaging solution allows companies to regain management and administrative control, reduce costs and simplify their messaging architecture. HP OpenMail support for direct connection of leading e-mail clients and groupware applications simplifies the messaging environment by reducing or eliminating the need for gateways, and offers enterprise-directory, simple-addressing and security advantages. Integration of HP OpenMail with HP OpenView OperationsCenter allows messaging servers to be managed from a central graphical workstation and gives IT staff simplified control over a distributed messaging backbone.

HP messaging services are installed at thousands of customer sites, with more than 1 million mailboxes worldwide. HP is committed to providing scalable, open, manageable messaging solutions that offer choice without compromise.

ABOUT AVID

Avid Technology, Inc., headquartered in Tewksbury, Mass., is a pioneering developer of nonlinear film, video and audio editing software and hardware technologies for applications ranging from desktop video to broadcast news. Integrated with the company's storage and networking solutions, Avid's products are used worldwide in post-production facilities; production companies; network, independent and cable television stations; advertising agencies; educational institutions; and corporate film and video departments.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 98,200 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

CONTACT: Hewlett Packard Company

Jeannette Tollstrup, 408/447-5333

Avid Technology

Julie O'Brien, 508/640-3071