Future Horizons, Inc. Releases Field PAC 2.0, the Updated Version of Its Mobile Maintenance Management Software Solution.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 1997--

Empowering the automated workforce with wireless,

Windows technology

Future Horizons, Inc. announces the release of Field PAC 2.0(R), the newest version of its flagship mobile maintenance management system.

The Microsoft(R) Windows 95(TM)-based Field PAC 2.0 is a workforce automation and communications system that serves as a field technician's information retrieval, data capture and communications tool.

Future Horizons' new release provides Windows(TM) compatibility and wireless connectivity to its workforce automation product. Field PAC 2.0 is unique in its ability to provide instructions for all types of maintenance: preventive, predictive and emergency breakdown. With this flexibility in one system, maintenance organizations can extend the life of their assets by taking better care of them before a problem occurs and by responding more effectively when something breaks. The system enables industries to move their services beyond plant walls and into the field, creating a competitive edge.

"Future Horizons is the first to incorporate a client/agent/server system in a large-scale computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or trouble ticketing solution," said Joseph P. Mediate, president and CEO. "This architecture allows maintenance and inspection personnel to process work orders and update service records much faster and more efficiently from the field. Data can be immediately accessed and input by technicians and sent to management providing each with the updated information needed to make accurate decisions. Paperwork is significantly reduced, service records and labor time are reported more accurately, and faster responses are all made possible."

With most remote client/server systems, a mobile computer user would have to go through a time-consuming dial-in and log-on procedure to connect to the host server to open various software programs or databases. With Future Horizons' solution, an agent/server acts as the mobile worker's "go-between" to efficiently and instantly access resources available on the "back-end" host system.

Field PAC 2.0 utilizes store-and-forward messaging between the client notebook or pen-based computer and the agent server. This optimizes the use of bandwidth when transmitting data wirelessly between the remote work site and the maintenance depot. The client computer's query for information is handled by the agent server, which can process the request even if the client computer is disconnected. The next time a connection is made, the agent communicates with the client and completes the requested task.

The advantage of a client/agent/server system is that it can access multiple systems and data sources, such as global positioning systems maps and imaging systems for schematic diagrams, from a single application. Data compression and encryption are built into Field PAC 2.0 to provide the most immediate and cost-effective transmission of data. The system operates on a variety of secure communications networks including RAM Mobile Data's Mobitex, ARDIS and other radio frequency networks; CDPD and cellular; hardwired or wireless LAN/WAN; and dial-up phone lines.

Field PAC 2.0 also incorporates a digital photography feature which allows a technician to take a picture of an asset at the work site and digitally view it on screen. If a technician finds an additional problem at the site, he can create a new work order or work request, and make notes to the photograph. Using the keyboard or an electronic pen, he can indicate exactly where a problem is located. The digital image is then attached to the electronic work order and sent to the corporate database, increasing accuracy and improving repair records.

Future Horizons will distribute Field PAC 2.0 to end users through its strategic partners who offer leading CMMS, AM/FM GIS, and trouble ticketing solutions. Field PAC is well-suited for maintenance and inspection operations in the telecommunications, utility, water and waste management, oil and gas, and transportation industries.

The company is currently engaged in such a partnership with TSW International, a leader in asset care maintenance systems, and Intergraph, an international mapping and global information systems provider. TSW develops and markets maintenance software and provides support services that instruct clients on how to extend the life of their assets as a means of increasing productivity and decreasing operating costs. Intergraph is a Fortune 1000 vendor of software, hardware and services for technical, creative and IT computing professionals.

Field PAC 2.0 is integrated with TSW's EMPAC(TM) application to create a total mobile maintenance software package. The EMPAC work order is transmitted directly, either wirelessly or over a land line, from the office to the remote technician via Field PAC.

The client portion of Field PAC 2.0 runs on Microsoft Windows 95 and supports Oracle's database. The agent/server runs on Windows NT and Unix platform. The agent/server and client software developed by Future Horizons are easy to install and operate because of the system's open architecture. Since an agent server is simply being added to the corporate network, implementation of wireless capability can be accomplished in weeks rather than the months typical of full- scale infrastructure changes.

Future Horizons, Inc. is a privately-held company based in Atlanta. It was founded in 1992 to provide workforce automation software that extends traditional computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to remote or mobile field service workers. For more information, contact the company at 2874 Johnson Ferry Road; Marietta, GA 30062; 770/552-5556 (phone) or 770/552-5557 (fax); or visit the Future Horizons home page at www.future-horizons.com . -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Field PAC is a registered trademark of Future Horizons, Inc. Other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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