LiveWorks Announces MeetingBoard 5.0; MeetingBoard 5.0 Works in Tandem with Microsoft's New NetMeeting.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1996--LiveWorks(TM), Inc., a Xerox Company, today announced MeetingBoard(TM) 5.0.

Designed for the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95 operating system, Version 5.0 is 32-bit collaboration software that works in combination with Microsoft Corporation's new NetMeeting(TM) conferencing software.

Customer shipments are expected in the first quarter of 1997. MeetingBoard 5.0 provides international standards-based multipoint conferencing with integrated electronic whiteboarding and application sharing. This new software offers powerful collaborative tools that extend the whiteboard capabilities included in NetMeeting and is designed specifically for group applications in conferences and classrooms.

MeetingBoard runs on the LiveWorks LiveBoard(TM), an integrated platform for group collaboration. LiveBoard features a 67-inch display, an intuitive light pen, and the ability to run all Windows-based applications.

"Microsoft is pleased that LiveWorks is building a product that extends the capabilities of NetMeeting and is based on industry standards," said John Ludwig, vice president of the Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft.

"With its roots in Xerox PARC, LiveWorks is a pioneer in the field of group collaboration. We're excited that broad support of the T.120 standard is making remote collaboration commonplace in business and education," said Dion Blundell, director of marketing at LiveWorks.

The combination of MeetingBoard 5.0 and NetMeeting offers:

--T.120: an international standard for multipoint document conferencing;

--Multipoint conferencing with or without a bridge;

--Multipoint application sharing;

--Whiteboard capabilities: powerful document conferencing with editable OLE 2.0 objects;

--Automatic importing of PowerPoint(R) slides into MeetingBoard for conferencing;

--Intuitive light pen-based operation for ease-of-use in meetings and classrooms.

T.120

The international multipoint document conferencing standard, T.120, provides a well-defined and stable communication layer, on which MeetingBoard conferences are based. Several machines, or nodes, can be connected in such a conference. On any particular node, a Node Controller application initiates and terminates conferences.

Microsoft NetMeeting is the preferred Node Controller for MeetingBoard 5.0. To establish or join conferences with other nodes, MeetingBoard 5.0 can connect to sites running NetMeeting or other Node Controllers and bridges that support T.120.

Multipoint Conferences and Bridges

One site running NetMeeting can connect directly with another, either creating a conference or joining one in progress. Microsoft recommends limiting nodes to five in such conferences. Connections may be made via modem, TCP/IP, or IPX. To use MeetingBoard 5.0 for conferences with more than five sites, the use of a bridge is recommended.

Multipoint Application Sharing

NetMeeting, when connected to other sites, can run a text chat program and a file transfer application. It also allows users to share applications among participating nodes. Using application sharing, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, for example, could be running on one machine and be viewed and controlled remotely by other users in a conference.

Whiteboard Capabilities

MeetingBoard is a powerful collaboration and conferencing application specialized for use in group environments. Each MeetingBoard slide can contain multiple pages of information from presentation slides, images, and linked OLE objects to handwritten notes and annotations. For example, a lecture slide can contain a live link to the World Wide Web, bringing real-time information to the classroom with a click of the pen.

Simple pen strokes control most functions, avoiding the need for keyboarding or mousing when working in a group. LiveBoard's intuitive light pen can be used to write on the screen, create columns, change text color, copy, move and delete items as well as serve as a remote-control mouse to operate any Windows-based application.

Importing PowerPoint Slides

MeetingBoard 5.0 directly imports files created by PowerPoint for Windows 95. Each PowerPoint slide is displayed on a separate MeetingBoard slide. Once imported, these PowerPoint slides can be displayed, modified, and saved at any site in the conference.

Intuitive Light Pen

MeetingBoard 5.0 uses LiveBoard's intuitive light pen to write on the screen, create columns, change text color, copy, move and delete. The same pen controls menus and buttons for Windows-based applications. When accessing the World Wide Web, the pen enables quick navigation of hot links. LiveBoard offers the only pen that works by remote line-of-sight pointing, giving presenters mobility and enhanced professionalism.

LiveWorks, Inc.

LiveWorks, Inc., a Xerox company, develops and markets advanced collaboration systems for classrooms and meeting rooms. The LiveBoard group collaboration system supports remote interactive sharing of documents, applications, and videoconferencing. Its intuitive light pen and 67-inch screen allow easy group access to the Internet and all Windows applications.

Included is the MeetingBoard document conferencing and whiteboarding application which brings powerful pen-based operation to the NetMeeting conferencing software. LiveWorks also offers MeetingDesk software which gives individuals full participation in the conference from any Windows-based PC.

Visit LiveWorks on the World Wide Web at http://www.LiveWorks.com. -0-

Note to Editors: LiveWorks is a trademark of Xerox Corporation. LiveBoard is a trademark of LiveWorks, Inc. MeetingBoard is a trademark of LiveWorks, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, NetMeeting and PowerPoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

CONTACT: LiveWorks, Inc.

Dion Blundell, 408/324-2276