Lotus Announces X.500 Directory Technology for Lotus Messaging Switch.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dec. 14, 1994 -- Lotus Development Corp. today announced it has licensed X.500 directory technology for use with the Lotus Messaging Switch.

Formerly SoftzSwitch EMX, the Lotus Messaging Switch is the industry's leading enterprise network backbone switch used to link different electronic messaging systems. LMS has employed an X.500-architected directory for several years, but has not used the actual X.500 protocols, called Directory System Protocol (DSP) and Directory Access Protocol (DAP). Lotus is now adding support for these protocols to LMS. X.500 defines common protocols for accessing globally distributed directories containing information such as electronic mail addresses and other data which can be accessed by electronic messaging systems and other networking applications. The X.500 standard for distributed directories is published by the International Telecommunications Union, a worldwide standards body.

X.500 protocols, when implemented in LMS, will allow the Lotus X.500 directory service to interoperate with other X.500 directories and will allow the Lotus X.500 directory to be accessed by X.500 based Directory User Agents (DUAs). Lotus will work with suppliers of X.500 DUAs to assure DUAs used by customers operate properly with the Lotus X.500 implementation.

Lotus is licensing the X.500 directory services software from Unisys Corp., which has been developing it since 1987. The Unisys software has proven its interoperability in extensive conformance testing as well as an ongoing pilot project among five large utility companies managed by the Corporation for Open Systems.

"The Unisys X.500 offering represents proven technology," said Michael Zisman, vice president of Lotus' Communications Business Group. "It will enable us to provide a commercial-grade product capable of fulfilling network infrastructure requirements now as well as in the future, when organizations take full advantage of the X.500 standard to perform seamless directory switching within the enterprise and beyond. We plan to have this technology available in LMS in 1995."

Sara Radicati, principal of the messaging and groupware analyst firm The Radicati Group, agreed that licensing this technology will extend the reach of enterprises now using Lotus products. "Lotus is certainly heading in the right direction," she said. "I expect the Unisys choice to be embraced by Lotus customers."

The Unisys software -- called TransIT 500 Directory Services -- features technology from the latest version of the standard, X.500(93), including directory replication. In addition, it provides the ability to access a relational database for storing directory information and includes a Simple Network Management Protocol interface, which allows the software to interoperate with the popular network management standard.

Terms of the agreement with Unisys were not disclosed.

Lotus Development Corp. (NASDAQ: LOTS), founded in 1982, offers high quality software products and support services that reflect the company's unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus' innovative approach is evident in a new class of applications that allows information to be accessed and communicated in ways never before possible, both within and beyond organizational boundaries. The company now markets its products in more than 80 countries worldwide and provides numerous support services, both from its consulting division and its award-winning 24-hour support center.

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