KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Oct. 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Neoware Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:NWRE), the leading supplier of software, services, and solutions for the Appliance Computing market, today announced that it has expanded its software-focused product line with the release of NeoLinux Version 2.4. This release provides support for IBM NetVista N2200 and N2800 customers, allowing them to run the same software on both their NetVista thin clients and Neoware thin client appliances. NeoLinux updates are also available for Neoware's Eon products running NeoLinux. In addition, Neoware is making available to IBM and all Neoware NeoLinux customers the genuine IBM 3270/5250 emulators that were licensed as part of the Neoware-IBM alliance announced in January 2002.
Investment Protection for IBM NetVista Users
This NeoLinux release adds support for IBM NetVista N2200 and N2800 thin clients, with exactly the same software able to run on IBM NetVista and Neoware Capio and Eon thin client appliances. NeoLinux for IBM customers further demonstrates Neoware's software-powered model, providing IBM customers with extended product life and the latest functionality for their already installed IBM NetVista thin clients -- without replacing their hardware.
In addition, IBM customers are able to manage NeoLinux-upgraded IBM NetVista thin clients, along with Eon or Capio appliances, with a single management tool, Neoware's ezRemote Manager. This enterprise-class management tool provides flexible, robust, easy-to-use remote management -- without traveling from desk to desk.
By taking advantage of software upgrades, IBM customers can offer the identical end-user features, functions and GUI experience across upgraded IBM NetVista thin clients and Neoware appliances, further leveraging customer investment protection in end-user training and support.
NeoLinux upgrades are available for NetVista customers beginning at $69 per appliance.
Key Highlights of NeoLinux 2.4
-- Netscape 4.78 web browser
-- Citrix ICA 6.2 for connection to run Windows-based applications
from Citrix servers with enhanced performance and security
-- Microsoft RDP protocol to run Windows-based applications from
Windows 2000 and .Net servers
-- Available emulators
-- Pericom teemX terminal emulator suite
-- Genuine IBM 3270/5250 Emulator
-- Java Virtual Machines
-- IBM Java 2.1.1.8
-- IBM Java 2.1.3.1
-- Sun Java 2.1.4.0
-- All appliances running Neoware software, including NeoLinux 2.4,
can be managed seamlessly using Neoware's ezRemote Manager
software for complete remote management from a central location.
Neoware Shipping Genuine IBM 3270/5250 Emulators
Neoware is providing exclusive availability of genuine IBM 3270/5250 thin client emulators, allowing customers to run mainframe and AS/400 applications with full IBM compatibility. The Neoware IBM 3270/5250 emulator was developed by IBM and originally distributed with IBM's Network Station Manager Version 2 Release 1 and IBM Turbolinux 7 for NetVista thin clients. The IBM 3270/5250 Emulator is available immediately at $59 per appliance.
Key highlights of Neoware's IBM 3270/5250 emulators include:
-- Integration of the emulator into NeoLinux, resulting in customer
choices for full-screen and windowed modes, automatically starting
defined connections to host computers, and automatically
reconnecting disconnected sessions with host computers
-- Two modes of screen operation: full-screen mode, which is a fully
customizable user interface with secure lock-down to prevent
unauthorized modifications, or windowed mode which conserves
memory and allows users to move between multiple windows with
mouse, taskbar, or hotkeys
-- Identical look and feel to original 3270/5250 screens; IBM screen
font used with special 3270/5250 character sets
-- Extensive guided help for setting preferences and controls
NeoLinux 2.4 thin client appliances
In addition to NeoLinux upgrades, NeoLinux 2.4 is available in two appliance models, the Eon Preferred 4000 and the Eon Professional 4300. Each Eon model is highly customizable and provides access to multi-user Windows, mid-range, mainframe, and web-based applications; easy connectivity to a wide variety of peripherals; and upgrade and expansion capabilities that maximize investment protection.
The Eon Preferred 4000 offers the best combination of features, functions, performance, and price for thin client appliances. The Eon Preferred 4000 is priced starting at $519. The Eon Preferred 4000 is an excellent choice for IBM NetVista customers currently using N2200s and N2800s wishing to extend their install base.
Similar to the Eon Preferred 4000, the Eon Professional extends the capabilities of the Eon Preferred 4000 to include enhanced performance for customers who require increased processing power for more demanding local applications, as well as high-resolution graphics. The Eon Professional 4300 is priced starting at $689. The Eon Preferred 4300 is specifically intended for IBM NetVista customers currently using N2800s and N70s.
"Neoware's release of NeoLinux Release 2.4 and the genuine IBM 3270/5250 emulator reflects Neoware's commitment to customer flexibility and investment protection through a software-powered model that allows fast, easy upgrades by software change, rather than hardware replacement, when requirements change," stated Howie Hunger, Neoware's Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Business Development. "The availability of NeoLinux software upgrades for IBM NetVista customers represents the accomplishment of a major milestone in the Neoware-IBM thin client alliance."
About Neoware
Neoware provides software, services, and solutions to enable Appliance Computing, an Internet-based computing architecture targeted at business customers that is designed to be simpler and easier than traditional PC-based computing. Neoware's software and management tools power and manage a new generation of smart computing appliances that utilize the benefits of open, industry-standard technologies to create new alternatives to personal computers used in business and a wide variety of proprietary business devices. Neoware's products are designed to run local applications for specific vertical markets, plus allow access across a network to multi-user Windows servers, Linux servers, mainframes, minicomputers, and the Internet. Computing appliances that run and are managed by Neoware's software offer the cost benefits of industry-standard hardware and software, easier installation, and lower up-front and administrative costs than proprietary or PC-based alternatives.
Neoware Systems addresses the needs of its marketplace through its software powered business model. This software-intensive structure of the company, leads to development of product architectures that are flexible and easy to upgrade, giving the customer maximum cost effectiveness for current and future applications, and investment protection. It makes Neoware more agile to meet changing customer requirements, and able to focus its management and financial resources on specific user needs.
More information about Neoware can be found at www.neoware.com or via e-mail at info@neoware.com. Neoware is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Neoware's broad product offering, Neoware's ability to ensure customers investment protection and the cost benefits and other advantages of the Company's products. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statements include Neoware's timely development and delivery and customers' acceptance of Neoware's appliance computing products, pricing pressures, rapid technological changes in the industry, growth of the appliance computing market, increased competition, Neoware's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, adverse changes in general economic conditions, risks associated with foreign operations in the U. S. and internationally and political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Neoware's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.
Neoware is a registered trademark of Neoware Systems, Inc. Citrix(r) is a registered trademark of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the US and other countries. All other names, products, and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.