CDSI'S Thurber Works Provides Java-Based Inmate Information System for Oregon Department of Corrections.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1998--Central Design Systems, Inc., a premier integrator of system administration solutions, announced today that its newly acquired Thurber Works division has signed an exclusive contract with the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) to develop a Java-based inmate information system.

The system will front-end to an Oracle database, use current client/server technology, and will be deployed at nearly every ODOC client workstation in the state. The network will allow inmate information, including photographs, to be viewed throughout the State's correctional infrastructure regardless of the particular client workstation.

In addition to the inmate information project, Thurber Works has been working with ODOC to design and implement an advanced network security system that meets the unique high-security challenges the department faces. The ODOC project includes the creation and deployment of a comprehensive network security plan encompassing Internet/intranet and LAN-based security products and services, including Check Point's Firewall-1 and SecurID user authentication.

"We selected Thurber Works for this project because of their superior knowledge of Sun solutions including Java, and their proven network security expertise," said Mike Truman, lead systems integrator for the Department of Corrections. "We needed to build a Java-based, database driven network that provided secure Web access across our enterprise. Thurber Works specializes in network and Internet security as well as web development solutions, their vision and support were critical for this implementation."

For government agencies, finding and retaining qualified technical staff is often one of their greatest project challenges, particularly in a competitive technical environment like the Pacific Northwest. Thurber Works has been able to assist many government agencies and corporate customers based on their deep technical staff, which allows them to provide Sun systems implementation and administration, network security solutions, as well as complete technical training and support.

"Projects like the ODOC implementation though unique, are nothing new to Thurber Works," said Alex Thurber v.p. professional services CDSI. "We have designed and implemented high-security software solutions for government agencies and businesses clients including CFI ProServices, (a leading provider of software solutions to the U.S. banking industry) where Web security is absolutely critical. We have assigned one of our top Java development team leaders to head up the project ensuring that ODOC is up and running on schedule with all the training and support they require."

The project required a system that would control Internet network access, provide a strong user authentication processes for dialup user, and enable network and host security auditing. Thurber Works was able to deliver full control of Internet network access via the installation of a Checkpoint Firewall-1 on the back-up Sun Ultra SPARC 2 system. This stipulated that a dialup user must use a SecurID token to authenticate before being allowed access to internal networkStrong two-factor authentication process. Thurber Works also provided an implementation of security audit recommendations, which resolved network and host problems, resulting in enhanced overall network security.

About the Oregon Department of Corrections:

The Oregon Department of Corrections maintains custody of felons sentenced to prison for 12 months or more in 13 state prisons. Additionally, it provides administrative oversight and funding for the community corrections activities of Oregon's 36 counties. The department also provides central information and data services regarding felons statewide. The department is recognized nationally among correctional agencies for providing inmates with the cognitive, behavioral and job skills they need to become productive citizens. Oregon has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the nation: more than two-thirds of its former offenders remain out of prison for more than three years. http://www.doc.state.or.us/

About Thurber Works:

Thurber Works, a Central Design Systems, Inc. Company, specializes in network and Internet security and web development. Thurber Works has a proven track record with Java-based, database driven, web applications. CFI ProServices, the leading provider of software solutions to the U.S. banking industry, partnered with Thurber Works in 1996 to develop their web banking software using LiveWire, Netscape's server-side JavaScript technology.

About Central Design Systems, Inc.

Central Design Systems, Inc., (CDSI) founded in 1994, is a value-added reseller of comprehensive computing solutions for systems administrators. Central Design Systems addresses the needs of administrators responsible for small networks through enterprise-wide multi-platform systems. Central Design Systems, Inc. was celebrated as a member of the VARBusinss 500 in 1998. The VARBusiness 500 list is an elite group of companies representing the most successful value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators and technology consulting organizations in the United States and Canada. CDSI employs a staff of experienced and knowledgeable professionals that specialize in designing open computing systems that leverage the power of client/server environments and networks. Offering the finest network and Internet servers on the market today, Central Design Systems, Inc. complements these products with superior software.

Central Design Systems is headquartered at 1705 Wyatt Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054. They can be reached at [phone]. For more information contact [e-mail] or view their Web site at http://www.cendes.com. Support offices are located in Portland, Boise and San Francisco. The Portland office of Thurber Works is at 808 SW 3rd Ave, 7th Floor, Portland, OR 97204. They can be reached at [phone]. Email: [e-mail]; Web: http://www.thurber.com. ####

Note to Editors: Thurber Works is a Central Design Systems, Inc. Company. Central Design Systems is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA and is a Sun Microsystems reseller and system integrator.