InterCon Systems unveils next generation Windows Communications Environment.

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 1996--InterCon Systems Corporation, a market leader in TCP/IP connectivity and Internet access solutions, today announced tcpCONNECT4(TM), a complete Internet/Intranet communications environment for Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows NT platforms. tcpCONNECT4 integrates powerful TCP/IP business productivity applications into a single communications environment, addressing urgent market needs for easy-to-use interfaces, the ability to match functionalities with organizational needs, very high levels of manageability, and flexible licensing agreements.

InterCon's tcpCONNECT4 represents the next generation of TCP/IP technology from a company that has a long established reputation as an expert in the TCP/IP field. tcpCONNECT4 offers a new combination of power and simplicity that results in large productivity gains for network managers and end users alike. End users benefit from the ability to better organize and manage information, while network managers benefit from ease of deployment, reduced management burden, and consolidated training and support. Overall, tcpCONNECT4 dramatically reduces the cost of ownership for Windows desktop communications software.

"tcpCONNECT4 is a highly integrated TCP/IP communications environment that combines powerful features with ease-of-use and flexibility that far surpass any competitive offering," said Dave Hudson, president and CEO of InterCon Systems. "This translates into increased productivity for network managers and end users, allowing them to do less work and get more done."

An Integrated Communications Environment

The concept behind tcpCONNECT4 is simple: a powerful set of TCP/IP applications integrated within a single interface that is both easy to use and easy to manage. Unlike most of today's TCP/IP packages, which are loosely related applications tied together via non-integrated menus, the applications in tcpCONNECT4 are highly integrated, share the same interface across all platforms, and are accessible from the same services menu in every application.

One powerful example of this integration is the email application, which highlights URLs in incoming messages. A user reading mail simply clicks on the highlighted URL to automatically launch the browser straight into appropriate Web or FTP site. Set-up is easier, too. Key configuration information (such as IP addresses, email addresses, proxy names, and passwords) are entered only once for all applications, eliminating the need to configure multiple separate applications as typified by today's offerings.

"The tcpCONNECT4 communications environment shields both end users and network managers from complexity, while providing powerful, integrated features and functionality," said Hudson. "End users find it much easier to get work done through a single interface, which in turn decreases the support load for network managers."

Ease of Deployment

tcpCONNECT4 is designed to minimize the hassle of installation and configuration, especially for large network environments. The installer can be placed on a server for easy access, and network managers can distribute customized configurations settings for specific groups of users. Even without a custom settings file, tcpCONNECT4's innovative install wizard configures the product automatically by querying desktop network settings and providing standard defaults. An individual license key determines the level of functionality activated for each user. To upgrade or change the available feature set simply requires a new key.

A Wide Range of Prepackaged Editions

The tcpCONNECT4 communications environment delivers an unsurpassed ability to tailor functionality to users' needs. Having different editions readily available within a single integrated environment simplifies management while enabling users to customize their desktop communications software.

tcpCONNECT4 is currently available in four prepackaged editions:

-- tcpCONNECT4 Enterprise is targeted at users within Windows or mixed-platform environments who need a full range of desktop communications tools as well as the ability to connect to UNIX servers, workstations, and printers. This comprehensive package includes terminal emulation, NFS client/server, bi-directional printing, FTP client/server, Gopher client, Web browser, email, Usenet news, and UNIX utilities.

-- tcpCONNECT4 Office includes the complete suite of applications without NFS and bi-directional printing. tcpCONNECT4 Office addresses the needs of office personnel who require powerful terminal emulation as well as robust Internet tools such as FTP client/server, Gopher client, Web browser, email and Usenet news.

-- tcpCONNECT4 Net includes FTP client/server, Gopher client, Web browser, email, Usenet news and UNIX utilities. tcpCONNECT4 Net is built around a full complement of Internet/Intranet tools, including Intercon's new email package, which provides the most comprehensive feature set currently available. Aimed at corporate users, education users, and telecommuters who require email and Internet/Intranet tools, tcpCONNECT4 Net offers a powerful alternative to Eudora and other proprietary email packages.

-- tcpCONNECT4 NFS is built on InterCon's market leading NFS/Share(TM). It combines intuitive file sharing with bi-directional printing. tcpCONNECT4 NFS is targeted at users who require the highest possible performance for file sharing and printing between the Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms.

Fluid Licensing(TM)

InterCon's tcpCONNECT4 communications environment introduces an exclusive new way of pricing software applications. Unlike competitive all-or-nothing bundles and single-vendor tools, tcpCONNECT4 offers economies of scale and lets network managers flexibly choose the best combination of tools and platforms to meet their connectivity needs. Users can easily move between different product editions and different platforms using a simple license key.

With tcpCONNECT4, customers essentially purchase a single communications environment with multiple editions and platforms. This flexible, affordable licensing scheme lets customers mix and match platforms and application editions on an unlimited basis within a single licensing agreement (100 or more seats).

"The ability to give each user the tools they need to get their jobs done is a real advantage for us," said Eli Virschleisser, senior systems administrator at Sybase in Emeryville, Calif., "tcpCONNECT4 does just that. And, Intercon's concept of fluid licensing means that we don't need to re-install software every time we want to change features, which is important with the large number of users we have to support."

Pricing and Availability

tcpCONNECT4 is available immediately from InterCon direct sales and select resellers. tcpCONNECT4 Enterprise is priced at $495.00 per user ($72.50 for 1000 users); tcpCONNECT4 Office is priced at $295.00 per user ($47.20 for 1000 users); tcpCONNECT4 NFS is priced at $245 per user ($39.20 for 1000 users); and tcpCONNECT4 Net is priced at $115 per user ($18.40 for 1000 users). Companies that purchase 100 or more tcpCONNECT4 licenses can dynamically mix Windows and Macintosh seats for maximum flexibility.

Cross Platform Application Parity

The tcpCONNECT4 integrated TCP/IP communications environment is the industry's first to offer complete cross-platform parity for Windows and Macintosh. Every application, from email to terminal emulation, provides identical features on both platforms while complying with standard user interface guidelines for each operating system.

Localized Versions Available Quickly

Intercon's on-going business strategy includes a strong commitment to worldwide markets. A key part of this commitment is an emphasis on localized products. InterCon will ship localized versions of tcpCONNECT4 in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish within 90 days of the English-version release date. Currently, international sales account for approximately 15 to 20 percent of InterCon's revenues.

About Intercon

InterCon Systems Corp. develops and markets a wide range of standards-based connectivity and internet access software products for Windows and Macintosh platforms. InterCon has been providing connectivity solutions for more than eight years and developed the first commercial TCP/IP, UNIX printing and PPP products for Macintosh users. InterCon products are available directly from the company and through a worldwide network of resellers. The company can be reached by phone [phone], fax: [phone], email: [e-mail], and Web: http://www.intercon.com/.

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tcpCONNECT4, NFS/Share and fluid licensing are trademarks of InterCon Systems Corp. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

CONTACT: InterCon Systems Corp.

Tanya Prather, 703/709-5500, ext. 6526

[e-mail]

or

Ben Merritt Communications

Ben Merritt, 703/757-0282

[e-mail]