BackWeb Announces 3.0 Beta Version of Enterprise Push Technology for Delivering Business Critical Applications.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 1997--

BackWeb V3.0 Enables Development of Customized Push

Solutions for Corporate Intranets and Extranets;

Adds IP Multicast with TIBCO Product Integration Option

BackWeb Technologies, a leading provider of enterprise push software solutions, today announced the release of the beta version of BackWeb 3.0.

This is the latest version of its client/server "push" software with new features and tools to enable customized implementations and controls for channel providers, IT organizations and end users.

"Our enterprise customers are implementing robust push applications that encompass many types of push, such as software deployment, information delivery, attention management, and embedded applications," said Eli Barkat, CEO of BackWeb Technologies. "BackWeb 3.0 is the first in a series of major enhancements that will create the ultimate solution to support customized, enterprise level push application development."

"We are very impressed with BackWeb. We have evaluated numerous push technology solutions over the past two years and BackWeb is the most flexible," said Woody Groton, Web Applications Team Leader for the National Institute of Health's Clinical Center. "With BackWeb version 3.0 we will be able to exploit the new web interface publishing tool to enable departments to deliver tailored content to users without IS involvement. This flexibility isn't available in any other product on the market."

BackWeb 3.0 delivers the tools needed by enterprises to deploy real world push applications. Using the new BackWeb Client Administration Kit, corporations can now customize the push client interface, incorporate corporate UI specifications and enterprise specific controls. The BackWeb Publishing Wizard allows anyone in the enterprise with a browser to publish information, software or files on the push server - without programming of any kind. IT organizations and departmental managers do not have to hire programmers or webmasters to enable push publishing. The incorporation of real-time IP multicasting technology makes it possible for users to get instant access to important information. For example, customer service call centers can deploy BackWeb 3.0 to alert managers when call volumes have peaked. Push technology can also be used to direct time-sensitive information, such as 401K updates, throughout a corporate intranet.

This is the first version of the BackWeb product to offer TIBCO's Information Bus Technology integrated into both the client and server to offer real time delivery of any kind of content through IP Multicast.

"BackWeb 3.0 provides a reliable, easy-to-use application layer to deploy and implement sophisticated infrastructure ideal for the enterprise," said Mark Bowles, CTO of TIBCO. "The TIBCO integrated product will provide customers with a scalable, IP Multicast solution."

Key new benefits and features of version 3.0 include:

ENTERPRISE LEVEL CONTROLS

-- Intranet tools: The BackWeb Client Administration Kit enables IT organizations to customize the BackWeb client or specify another application to be used as the push client. It also enables organizations to preset certain user channels and lock down certain configuration information.

-- Channel Filtering: The BackWeb proxy server now supports very fine channel filtering and control capabilities, allowing enterprises to enable, disable and time the delivery of information from specific channels. This further entrenches BackWeb as an intelligent member of the corporate network.

DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL CONTROLS

-- BackWeb Publishing Wizard: With this HTML interface publishing tool, publishing of information, software and files on the push server can be done at the work group level, and does not have to be done by the IT department. Microsoft and Netscape browser users can use publishing templates to submit any kind of information to the push channel. BackWeb provides more than 40 publishing templates with the Publishing Wizard, and channel owners can create their own templates. Common types of publishing templates include those for time sensitive meeting notification, company news dissemination, sales presentation updates, software version updates. The Publishing Wizard makes it possible to publish quickly and without programmers or IT individuals, reducing the cost of ownership and deployment of push channels.

FLEXIBILITY, USER CONTROLS

-- New Notifier technology: BackWeb 3.0 includes "Announcer" and "Ticker" notifiers which alert users of new information or software, and a filtering functionality which sifts data by channel/watch word, providing greater flexibility to view content. Local channel directory information, which is dynamically updated either by BackWeb or by the enterprise; local channel registration, client access options, and two-level content control make it easy for end users to make intelligent use of pushed information and software.

CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNICATION - POWER AND SIMPLICITY

-- Improved server functionality: Improved server/console communications and a simplified programming of hooks will facilitate the ongoing maintenance and use of the server.

-- Fortified infrastructure: BackWeb 3.0 also features added caching functionality for improved communications, complete channel filtering capability, directory tree support for better support in Java and enhanced plug-in support.

-- Bandwidth conservation and real time data delivery through IP multicast support: V3.0 includes an option to use TIBCO's TIB technology, which has been integrated with BackWeb. For corporations that can make use of this capability, BackWeb broadcasts will require minimal network bandwidth and gives corporate users the ability to deliver mission critical information in real time. IP multicasting allows each person on the network to receive data/content from a single broadcast copy.

-- Connectivity with minimal programming: BackWeb's enhanced hook technology makes it even simpler to connect BackWeb servers to other systems in the enterprise. This makes it possible for BackWeb applications to use databases, commerce systems, and legacy systems. This further reduces cost of ownership and ensures that business critical information is delivered to the right people at the right time.

ENHANCED REPORTING

-- BackWeb 3.0 also features enhanced reporting for the Internet and intranets to allow channel partners and IS managers to easily view in standard reports how push information has been distributed and used. The reporting feature details the number of downloads, displays, interactions, next-level interactions and dismissals of data so vendors and IS managers can adapt their channel to its actual use and achieve the highest possible return on investment.

"With BackWeb 3.0, we have included several new enhancements that address the specific needs of the corporate network," said Barkat. "IP multicasting and BackWeb's updated Software Developer's Kit (SDK) provide solution developers with the tools they require to create a customized push network for all their intranet/extranet needs."

Open System Architecture

BackWeb V3.0 supports current and past versions of Netscape and Microsoft browser platforms and Java applications and applets.

Pricing and availability

A free beta version of the BackWeb 3.0 client will be available from the BackWeb web site (http://www.backweb.com) starting August 31. BackWeb 3.0 beta server software will also be available; with or without the TIB embedded will also be available on August 31. BackWeb 3.0 is expected to be available in final version in October. Pricing for Internet and Intranet packages starts at $10,500.

About BackWeb Technologies

BackWeb Technologies provides push solutions for companies serious about using the Internet, intranet or extranets in new, strategic ways. BackWeb's innovative server technology enables companies to personalize channels; multicast real-time content; conserve bandwidth; and intelligently deliver any type of content, including Web pages, rich multimedia, software and corporate data. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: BackWeb is a trademark of BackWeb Technologies.

CONTACT: BackWeb Technologies

Debbie Lacy, 408/487-0852

[e-mail]

or

Wilson McHenry Company

Leanne Buck, 415/638-3400

[e-mail]