DCA Upgrades Features of Irma for the AS/400 Software for Windows.

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 1994--DCA significantly expanded communications options for both large computing enterprises and smaller businesses that deploy IBM's flagship AS/400 midrange computers with the introduction today of Version 3.0 of Irma for the AS/400 software for Windows.

The communications software, which blends productivity-enhancing features with 5250 connectivity, provides users with easy point-and-click access to AS/400-based information from within the Microsoft Windows environment of desktop computers and workstations. Suggested retail price for the stand-alone version of the new software is $345, with free upgrades for customers of Version 2.X. Owners of earlier versions may upgrade for $125.

"This software provides users with the same look and feel as any standard Windows-based application, such as Microsoft Office," says Larry Zito, president of DCA's IBM Division. "Irma for the AS/400 literally puts all the access PC users will ever require to the powerful AS/400 computing platform at their fingertips."

The Irma for the AS/400 software also is available as part of Irma Suite for Windows 3.1, a multi-host access product which includes Irma for the Mainframe and Irma for Open Systems.

"Coupled with the other modules of Irma Suite for Windows 3.1, users can open separate Windows to conduct an AS/400 display or printer session with Irma for AS/400, a host session with Irma for the Mainframe and a session with a Digital VAX or an IBM RISC/6000 with Irma for Open Systems," Zito says.

Also, the software supports Listen for Irma, an easily installed advanced speech voice technology that recognizes voice command phrases, sentences and single words and allows simple hands-free systems operation.

Irma for the AS/400 software for Windows Version 3.0 provides an easily configurable QuickBar that enables users to execute a string of menu-driven commands or repetitive tasks with a click of a mouse. Multiple QuickBars can be displayed simultaneously and they can be detached and placed anywhere on the screen as the user chooses.

"The QuickBar saves AS/400 users a lot of time," says Zito. "It lets them automate the tasks that they do most frequently and eliminates the need for them to even access the easy-to-use pull-down menus.

Irma for the AS/400 also offers a Windows-based shared folder feature, a powerful information management tool. NS/Folders, sold separately at the suggested retail price of $75, provides native Windows support for PC Support/Shared Folders. It includes virtual device drivers and Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) to facilitate the exchange of documents and files between AS/400 Shared Folders and the user's PC or LAN file system.

The AS/400 market is one of the fastest growing in the technology industry. International Data Corporation, the Framingham, Mass.-based market research and consulting firm, estimates that there will be a compound growth rate of 33 percent per year between 1993 and 1998 for worldwide shipments of midrange, SNA clients -- either stand-alone or LAN-based 5250 emulation software.

Growth in the past two years has exceeded 40 percent. Zito says the AS/400 has become an important platform for small businesses or departments and divisions of large organizations. Its recent sales increases, however, have been fueled in part by larger companies' downsizing applications from traditional mainframes to smaller, more economical platforms like the AS/400.

"The AS/400 platform is capable of mainframe-like performance at a fraction of the cost of the mainframe," says Zito. "That's why we believe connectivity options for the AS/400 will be extremely important not only to smaller companies who can't afford mainframes but to large enterprises that are building distributed, client/server environments."

DCA, located in metro Atlanta, is the 29th largest software company in the world. DCA enables businesses to access information and applications that leverage and build corporate knowledge. DCA's information access and productivity-enhancing software ranges from remote access and host communications products to client/server, groupware and software distribution applications.

These products support the widest range of desktop, midrange and mainframe systems.

For information on DCA products call Sales Operations at 800/348-3221 or 404/475-8380. International customers may fax requests for pricing or product information to 404/442-4364.

DCA is a registered trademark and Irma is a trademark of Digital Communications Associates, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holder.

CONTACT: DCA, Alpharetta

              Meg Owens, 404/442-4521
                 or
              Copithorne & Bellow, Atlanta
              David Morrison, 404/392-8611