IMail Server Version 6.0 From Ipswitch, Inc. Offers Substantial Web Security Features, Innovative Web Messaging Functionality.

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 1999--

Easier-to-use web messaging touts features similar

to desktop e-mail clients

Ipswitch, Inc., a leading supplier of e-mail and other Internet productivity software for Windows platforms, today announced the release of IMail Server 6.0 for Windows NT. Building upon the core features of IMail Server 5.0--remote administration, anti-spamming support, and Web messaging--version 6.0 offers enhanced security and Web messaging features and improved ease of use. Ideal for small to medium sized businesses, IMail Server 6.0's Web messaging offers mobile users most of the features of a desktop e-mail client with added security.

"Ipswitch has introduced significant contributions to the messaging industry and continues to do so. The latest version of IMail 6.0 addresses security concerns and demonstrates that Ipswitch is an innovator in addressing our

customer's business needs," said Ipswitch President Roger Greene. "Overall, IMail's market share has been growing rapidly. A recent customer survey showed that IMail provides e-mail to more than 21 million users and is a leading alternative to larger, more costly systems while still providing the features and functionality that help businesses fulfill their messaging needs. This market continues to grow rapidly and we expect IMail's leadership position to continue growing with the market."

Improved security

Increased security features in IMail Server 6.0 will be of great interest to users and administrators. IMail Server 6.0 now supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption in Web messaging to protect passwords and e-mail content. Administrators can feel more confident in the security of passwords and e-mail contents, whether they are sensitive corporate information or personal correspondence.

IMail Server 6.0's list server has also been enhanced for greater security. Now, administrators can control who can post to a list server mailing list by requiring the use of a password. And, administrators can create public lists but still screen messages sent to them by programming filters that flag designated words and phrases to keep out unauthorized users and undesirable content. This greatly helps in the reduction of junk mail sent to legitimate mailing lists.

IMail Server 6.0 also now supports APOP (authenticated POP) for secure interaction with e-mail clients like Eudora for greater password protection. For those businesses contemplating bringing their e-mail service in-house, all of these enhanced security features make a strong case that using a product such as IMail Server 6.0 is an easy, economical and secure choice.

"IMail is an exceptional product with specific value for organizations needing to provide 200 or more users with conventional standards-based e-mail services," said Paul Evans, an independent management consultant with Ferris Research. "IMail 6.0's enhanced Web messaging capabilities, particularly the customization features, offer an advantage over most messaging products in its class on the market today."

Enhanced Web messaging accessibility through new features, customization

The ability to customize the Web messaging interface with IMail Server 6.0 is an attractive feature of the new release. Administrators can make changes to the appearance of each host's Web mail interface. This can range from things as simple as changing screen colors to as complex as changing the layout and even the features available to users, according to the style and purpose of their Web sites. The granularity of customization has also been significantly increased so that more features on any given screen can be changed to make customization and even foreign language localization much easier.

IMail Server's improved Web messaging capabilities also now have more of the features of a traditional desktop e-mail client. Users can save unfinished messages in a draft folder just like they can with a desktop e-mail client. This is particularly beneficial to a user who is interrupted while working on a message and then is able to go back and finish it from the same computer or from a different site altogether. And, if an individual is attempting to locate a particular message, he can now use IMail Server 6.0's search function, using criteria such as key words, to find it. "I believe in the near future, Web mail will be on an even par with desktop e-mail in terms of ease of use and popularity," observed Greene. "These new features are one more step in that direction."

Simple administration makes use even easier

Previously, IMail Server's user manager, list server manager, Web messaging manager and service control panel were all separate applications, each with its own interface and help file. Now, they are all combined into one application, the IMail Administrator. This allows for much easier and faster administration. Several new wizards and a consolidated help file also make it easier for first-time e-mail administrators to use the product.

Overall, administrators who choose IMail Server over more complex messaging software packages such as Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes will be pleased with IMail Server 6.0's continued track record of superior functionality, ease of use and low cost.

"We have been a satisfied user of IMail for years," remarked Steven Harris, president of Information Resource Products, Inc., Billerica, MA. "IMail has always had the advanced multi-user, multi-domain and security capabilities we required in a mail server product. Even with the advanced features, it is easy to install and configure. Best of all, IMail is one of the most reliable software products we use. Anyone looking for a robust mail server should be evaluating IMail Server 6.0."

Price and availability

IMail Server is available for a U.S. list price of $995 for the 250-user version and $1,495 for the unlimited user version. An e-mail to fax option is an additional $195. Free upgrades to version 6.0 are available to anyone with a valid service agreement. Annual service agreements can be purchased for $345 for the 250-user version and $445 for the unlimited.

Ipswitch develops Windows-based software products for the Internet and corporate intranets. Its product family includes WS_FTP Pro, the world's most popular FTP client; WS_FTP Server, the first industrial-strength, full-featured FTP server for Windows NT; WhatsUp Gold, a network mapping, monitoring and notification tool; IMail Server, an Internet messaging server for small to medium-size companies and ISPs; and WS_Ping ProPack, a utility suite for the Internet and intranets - all designed for today's mission-critical business communications. Ipswitch products set new standards for functionality, performance, reliability and interoperability, while providing the foundation for corporate internetworking solutions, and are available directly from Ipswitch and through distributors, resellers and OEMs. Founded in 1991, Ipswitch is having its strongest year to date. The company recently was named one of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. magazine, and was named to the Deloitte & Touche "Fast 500," a ranking of the 500 fastest growing U.S. technology companies.

IMail, WhatsUp, the WhatsUp logo, WS_FTP, the WS_FTP logos, Ipswitch, and the Ipswitch logo are trademarks of Ipswitch, Inc. Eudora is a trademark of Qualcomm.

For product and sales information, contact Ipswitch, Inc. at 81 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts, via telephone [phone], fax [phone], or e-mail at [e-mail]; or visit the Ipswitch Web site at http://www.ipswitch.com.