IBM delivers enhancements for OS/2 Warp.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1997--

Java 1.1 and Enhanced Remote Access Server

Offer Customers New Java Tools and Broader Connectivity

IBM today announced an open beta for the Java(a) Development Kit (JDK) 1.1 for OS/2(b) Warp 4 and OS/2 Warp Server, with improved flexibility, access, security and performance. IBM also made its Enhanced Remote Access Server for OS/2 Warp Server generally available, giving OS/2 Warp Server users the market's widest variety of remote client access support.

"With these enhancements, we further establish OS/2 Warp as the industry's premier operating system solution for customers making the move to Java and network computing," said Sandy Rankin, director of Network Computing Solutions, IBM Personal Software Products division. "By delivering the most up-to-date Java capability, as well as superior connectivity options, we are giving OS/2 Warp customers the tools they need to enhance their enterprise in a networked world."

Java 1.1 for OS/2 Warp

The Java Developers Kit 1.1 for OS/2 Warp beta is a fully compliant implementation of Sun Microsystems'(a) JDK 1.1, which includes support for JavaBeans(a), Java Database Connectivity (JDBC(a)), and improved security features, as well as many other improvements.

"We strongly believe in Java and its 'Write Once, Run Anywhere' capability," said Cynthia Jeness, consultant at Golden Code Development Corporation. "With the availability of Java 1.1 for OS/2 Warp, we will now have an ideal platform for leveraging our Java development across both our intranet and the Internet, regardless of the platform."

The Java Developers Kit 1.1 for OS/2 Warp, which includes key security fixes from Sun Microsystems, is a substantial improvement over the currently available Java 1.02 for OS/2 Warp with many new capabilities and features. Some of the more significant improvements include:

-- JavaBeans platform-independent component architecture lets developers write re-usable components once and run them anywhere. Customers can be assured that components developed with the Java Developers Kit 1.1 for OS/2 Warp will be interoperable with other JavaBeans components, regardless of the operating system platform, reducing development and deployment costs.

-- JDBC provides an open interface specification to SQL databases allowing customers using a Java-based application to transparently access information from legacy databases.

-- Signed Java-based applets - such as bank loan applications - can be downloaded from an intranet or Internet site and saved to the user's hard disk for added security.

-- UniCODE 2.0 and classes provide the ability to run global applications in many languages and include the correct character set, time, date and currency for that locale.

-- Many Java-based applications will perform close to 30 percent faster, as measured by the CaffeineMark 2.5 performance benchmark, over the currently available Java 1.02 for OS/2 Warp.

The Enhanced Remote Access Server for OS/2 Warp Server

The Enhanced Remote Access Server for OS/2 Warp Server allows point-to-point protocol (PPP) clients, including Windows NT, Windows 95, IBM 8235 and Shiva users, to remotely access an OS/2 Warp Server as if they were locally attached to the server. As a result, customers or employees traveling on the road or working in branch offices with multiple operating systems will have the same access to network resources and files as those working on-site.

The Enhanced Remote Access Server delivers new levels of performance and security and reduces the cost of ownership by leveraging customers' current client/server investments. Combined with recent Windows 95 and NT client enhancements, it makes OS/2 Warp Server the premier server operating system for customers running OS/2 Warp, as well as Windows 95 and NT clients.

Availability

The beta for the Java Developers Kit 1.1 (Version 1.1.1 plus key security fixes from 1.1.2) for OS/2 Warp 4, OS/2 Warp Server and OS/2 Warp Server Advanced SMP is immediately available from Software Choice, IBM's new Internet software delivery program at http://www.software.ibm.com/os2warp . The JDK 1.1 for OS/2 Warp is planned for general availability in the third quarter of 1997.

The Enhanced Remote Access Server for OS/2 Warp Server is also available through IBM's Software Choice Web site to customers participating in the Software Advantage program offered through their IBM Business Partner or IBM Representative.

OS/2 Warp 4 and OS/2 Warp Server

IBM is the largest software company in the world and is the home of the OS/2 Warp family of products. OS/2 Warp is an ideal operating system solution for today's network computing environments, offering customers a true cross-platform business solution that delivers on the promise of network computing. Within the OS/2 Warp family of products customers will find features such as Internet/intranet connectivity, integrated Java support and dependable systems management. The OS/2 Warp operating system is the foundation for this broad family of products, which includes OS/2 Warp, OS/2 Warp Connect, OS/2 Warp Server, OS/2 Warp Server Advanced SMP and the Directory and Security Server for OS/2, one of the IBM Software Servers. -0-

(a) Java, Sun Microsystems, JavaBeans, JDBC, and JavaSoft are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

(b) IBM and OS/2 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other product and service names may be trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.

For Internet users, IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technology on the World Wide Web. The IBM home page is at http://www.ibm.com . The fastest, easiest way to find any information about IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com . The IBM Fax Information Service allows you to receive facsimiles of prior IBM product press releases. Dial 1-800-IBM-4FAX and enter "99" at the voice menu.

CONTACT: IBM Media Relations

Jeff Tieszen

512-838-9635

[e-mail]

or

Brodeur Porter Novelli for IBM

Julie Brennan

617-587-2834

[e-mail]