Elemental Software and Microsoft Team Up to Deliver Next-Generation Streaming-Media Solutions: Drumbeat Included With Netshow Services Jumpstart CD.

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1998--

Drumbeat SmartElements Simplify and Speed Creation of Media-Enabled Web Sites

Elemental Software today announced that Microsoft will include Elemental Software Drumbeat 2.0 with the release of the Windows NT Server Netshow Services JumpStart CD.

By combining the power of Drumbeat 2.0 with the Netshow Services, Web developers will be able to build database-driven, streaming-media Web sites far faster than ever before. Drumbeat is the Web assembly tool included on the JumpStart CD with Microsoft and other third-party technologies designed specifically for creating rich streaming-media sites.

The announcement coincides with Microsoft's release of the Windows Media Technologies, which include Windows NT Server NetShow Services, Windows Media player, and the Microsoft NetShow Theater Server.

Along with the 30-day, fully functional trial version of Drumbeat 2.0, Elemental will also provide Netshow Services developers with a sample application and tutorial that teaches -- in one hour -- how to build the kind of database-driven, streaming-media solutions that typically take weeks and tens of thousands of dollars to build.

"Now all Web developers can build solutions that were previously within the capabilities only of those very adept at writing JavaScript, building Active Server Pages, and integrating these with databases," said Peter S. Hirshberg, president and CEO of Elemental Software. "For developers who write code, this is the fastest way to achieve the same results."

"We're seeing a large and quickly growing need in the market for integrated Web-based, streaming media in training, corporate communication, and other Internet/intranet applications, " said Craig Canine, senior analyst, Technologic Partners. "Drumbeat 2.0 is one of the most effective tools I've seen -- it successfully simplifies and standardizes the development of media-rich solutions in one environment without complex coding -- a key requirement as the demand for these capabilities continues to grow."

Video-based training, presentations, and entertainment created with NetShow Services can now be readily added to Web sites assembled in Drumbeat. The Windows Media Player and navigation controls will be available in the extensible Drumbeat library of interactive components -- called "SmartElements."

As a result, developers can drag and drop SmartElements onto a Web page, then -- with point-and-click interactions -- make them respond to users and work seamlessly with other components (ActiveX controls, Java Applets, COM objects, scriptlets, plug-ins, etc.) by selecting the desired interaction from a plain-English menu. For example, a developer could assemble any number of components -- a drop-down list, a database-record browser, etc. -- and enable them to initiate the Netshow Services.

Drumbeat comes with tools for transforming the components users have built themselves or components from third parties into reusable, mix-and-matchable SmartElements as well as tools for modifying reusable interactions or creating new ones.

"Drumbeat provides Windows Media Technologies customers with a great solution to reduce the barriers to building and delivering media-rich, streaming Web solutions that sell goods and services, provide news and entertainment, conduct training, and deliver corporate communications," said Gary Schare, lead product manager, Microsoft Corporation. "This technology union begins a new era of streaming media applications that are easily and rapidly built, powerfully deployed and cost-effectively achieved."

With Drumbeat 2.0, individuals within a company can contribute to, maintain, and update their company's Internet/intranet site directly from within the browser: a distinct benefit of database-driven applications built with Drumbeat 2.0. This feature allows departments to add videos, text, documents or charts directly to the Internet/intranet eliminating the need to consult a site developer whenever changes are required.

Using Drumbeat 2.0 and Windows Media Technologies, users are empowered to build streaming media delivered on the fly from databases and across multiple browsers by:

Building Data-Driven Media Applications

Frequently, Web applications require video, slides, graphic information, and text to be retrieved from databases in real time and assembled into pages on the fly. Drumbeat is the only Web assembly tool that provides the DataForm Wizard that generates database-driven pages that can search, browse, update and add/delete in real time.

The Wizard builds the pages automatically, including all logic, client-side and server-side coding. With point-and-click speed, developers can then freely modify the pages using a rich set of WYSIWYG design and interactivity tools. Developers can move fluidly between layout tools and database tools -- adding new fields and record sets -- as easily as adding text and images.

Adding Streaming-Media Players and Navigation Without Coding

With Drumbeat 2.0, Web professionals can develop streaming media Internet/intranet applications without hand coding JavaScript. For example, Drumbeat generates the code automatically to create a navigation bar, activate buttons or other objects to interact with a player, or to make the result of a database search serve as the content source for a media stream. With Drumbeat 2.0 point-and-click interactions, a Web professional can build sites that include this functionality by simply choosing from English-language expressions, thus eliminating the need to script.

Staging , Managing And Deploying Windows Media Content Automatically

Drumbeat 2.0 simplifies the complex process of publishing database-driven, streaming-media pages to Web servers. Typically, HTML pages must be manually posted to one server, streaming-media files to another, and database information to another. Drumbeat does this automatically, publishing to both Web servers and Netshow Services servers; this is particularly important as sites and media content change frequently.

Deploying Richly Interactive Sites On Any Browser

Drumbeat SmartPages ensure that dynamic, data-driven applications can take full advantage of the most advanced browser features from Microsoft and Netscape while also efficiently supporting older browsers.

About Elemental Software

Elemental Software develops and markets software that enables users to deliver Web-based business solutions in less time with fewer technical resources. The company's flagship software product, Drumbeat 2.0, is the fastest way to build visually engaging, database-driven, cross-browser Web sites without writing code.

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Elemental Software is principally funded by venture investors Microsoft Corporation, AT&T, Accel Partners, CSK Corporation of Japan, JK&B Capital, Crystal Internet Venture Fund, L.P. and Sorrento Ventures.

For product information call 1-877-DRUMBEAT, or outside of the United States and Canada 760/931-7171. Email to [e-mail] or visit http://www.drumbeat.com. Media please contact Marie Clark, Antenna Group, 415/977-1916, [e-mail] or Scott Tyler Shafer 415/977-1931, [e-mail].

Note to Editors: Drumbeat is a trademark of Elemental Software. All other products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies.

    CONTACT: Antenna Group
              Marie Clark, 415/977-1916
              [e-mail]
                  or
              Scott Tyler Shafer, 415/977-1931
              [e-mail]