i-Planet Launches MailSuite 1.0; New Offering Empowers Businesses with Unique Internet Mail Communications.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1996--i-Planet, developer of innovative Internet communications solutions, today announced version 1.0 of MailSuite, a powerful collection of tools that leverage the power of the Internet for small and mid-sized businesses. Containing five inter-related components, MailSuite allows customers to:

-- Maximize convenient access to e-mail while telecommuting and

traveling.

-- Manage automatic mailing lists for private discussion groups,

support, and product promotion.

-- Integrate multiple remote POP and IMAP accounts into one e-mail

account.

-- Respond automatically to e-mail requests while away from the

office or on vacation.

-- Reduce costs via automatic distribution of patches and

product collateral via e-mail.

"While e-mail usage has reached mammoth proportions, applications which make use of Internet-based e-mail and integrate emerging Web technologies are not yet commonplace," said David Vereeke, President of i-Planet, Inc. "Furthermore, even more rare are such applications that are low-cost and easy-to-use, while simultaneously enabling small and mid-sized businesses to dramatically increase productivity. The i-Planet MailSuite is unique in this respect."

"i-Planet's MailSuite has been incredibly valuable in changing the way we do business," said Sam Sugimoto, President of Stanford Internet Solutions. "The components of the MailSuite have allowed us to reach more customers, and reduce costs. Usually you get one or the other, but with the MailSuite we got both."

The i-Planet MailSuite is an unbundled option for the landmark i-Planet Solution-168 (IPS-168), a platform for Internet communications services integrating hardware, router, gateway, Web server, Internet server, Firewall, seven proxies, Mail server (IMAP, POP, SMTP), Telecommuting (RAS) server, Print server, and LAN server, in a single, pre- installed system administered securely via any browser locally or remotely.

The primary benefit of the i-Planet MailSuite is to increase an organization's competitiveness and productivity via the use of open, Internet-based mail solutions. The specific features and benefits include:

MailSuite Components

PonyEspresso

The Java-based IMAP client that works with any IMAP mail server. With a single mouse-click, telecommuters can access their e-mail without configuring POP or IMAP e-mail clients. System administrators do not have to worry about distributing and configuring (and licensing) individual POP or IMAP mail clients. Because PonyEspresso is based on IMAP, the messages are managed on the server and users don't have the problem of synchronizing multiple mail boxes.

Moreover, users can download headers and subsequently select which specific messages they want to view. Finally, the user is protected from e-mail-born viruses because the mail viewing occurs in a Java-based virtual machine that does not have access to full system resources. PonyEspresso is available for use with the i-Planet IPS-168 IMAP Mail Subsystem, or any other industry IMAP mail server.

NetReflex

The NetReflex is responsible for automatic information distribution over the Internet. This is becoming much more cost-effective versus "faxback" systems because there is no incremental charge for Internet usage when sending an e-mail message. More importantly, a greater volume of messages can be delivered (over a single phone line) in a more sophisticated format (MIME attachments). The NetReflex includes sophisticated access controls per file, detailed logging, and usage statistics.

CustomReply

Similarly, the i-Planet CustomReply option ensures that when employees are unavailable to respond to e-mail, the sender is appropriately informed and an alternative contact is provided. As dependence on the Internet increases, tools such as i-Planet CustomReply gain importance. Companies using the i-Planet CustomReply can provide much greater responsiveness to their customers and differentiate themselves in the level of service provided.

ClearingHouse

ClearingHouse is a mailing-list management and archive facility based on the popular Majordomo software originally developed by Great Circle Associates. i-Planet has developed an easy-to-use HTML-based interface to Majordomo that facilitates companies in any vertical segment to establish e-mail-based discussion groups and forums for product or support information dissemination. All subscription requests and cancellations are handled automatically, and configuration of the entire system can be done from any browser within three to five minutes.

PopRox

The i-Planet PopRox is a combined POP and IMAP proxy service. It is becoming increasingly frequent for Internet users to have multiple e-mail accounts. This poses a problem because either 1) messages are not responded to in a timely fashion; or, 2) excessive time is spent checking for messages on multiple servers where the accounts are located. PopRox allows all messages delivered to any number of POP or IMAP mail servers (accessible over the Internet) to be downloaded to a single mail account on the i-Planet IPS-168. Sending information is unaltered, so users can see the original destination address, and reply appropriately. No modification to the source POP or IMAP servers is required. PopRox is also an important technology for any hotel or motel wishing to offer a mail gateway for business travelers.

In addition to the MailSuite, users of the IPS-168 can choose from a collection of optional modules to utilize Internet-powered applications and services while lowering corporate costs. Other services include CypherSpace with its Internet-based Virtual Private Networks (iVPNT) and the i-Planet Faximilator. The different modules enable small and mid-sized companies to cut costs and increase competitiveness through Internet-based communications applications. They are all downloadable over the Internet and installable with a single mouse-click.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The i-Planet MailSuite will be available December, 1996, and has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $599 in the United States.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

i-Planet develops and sells integrated hardware and software solutions that enable businesses to become more competitive via the use of public networks, such as the Internet. i-Planet's goal is to remove existing barriers which can prevent companies from exploring their Internet options. i-Planet was formed in January 1996 by Silicon Valley networking veterans and is headed by President David Vereeke. For more information on i-Planet, its services and its products, call 408/745-1500, send e-mail to [e-mail] or visit the homepage at http://www.i-planet.com. -0-

Note to Editors: i-Planet, IPS, i-Planet Solution, MailSuite, Faximilator, CypherSpace, APX, and iVPN are trademarks of i-Planet, Inc. All other trademarks and tradenames of property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

CONTACT: i-Planet

Kristina Klein, 408/745-1500

[e-mail]

or

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Stacy Libby, 415/962-9550

[e-mail]