MAHWAH, N.J., Oct. 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Communications Research, Inc. (Pink Sheets:CRHI) announced today they have entered into a software development agreement with the Arkansas School of Mathematics and Sciences (ASMS), Hot Springs, Arkansas to license Tele-WRITER Corporation's Tele-WRITER-AGS (Advanced Graphic System) to the School for development of an updated version of system software. The agreement provides for the updating and improvement of the Tele-WRITER, Audiographic and Collaborative Computing System to meet current software and operating system requirements. During the development, the School will, additionally, address known issues and enhancements requested by the present user base. This partnership brings resources to Communications Research that would be unattainable by the company with only a commercial software developer.
Communications Research, Inc. (CRI) and its subsidiary, Tele-WRITER Corporation (TWC), under the terms of the agreement, shall engage the Arkansas School of Math and Science to provide software programming services and resources to update the software system to link it to the current version of Microsoft's NetMeeting and APLs for use with Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. The Arkansas Department of Education shall have free use of the system to use in all K-12 schools and adult education programs in the state. CRI and TWC shall retain all rights to own and sell the product and will promptly begin to market the new software version commercially upon completion. A fee shall be paid to the Arkansas School on all system software sold by CRI, TWC and their agents, representatives, distributors and resellers.
Initially developed in 1981 by Optel Communications, Tele-WRITER was the first audiographic collaborative computing system on the market. The system continued to advance and capture the majority of the market with its Version 2 software in the mid-1990s that provided up to 32 users in a work group operating over a private or public IP network.
The Arkansas School of Math and Science is one of the most advanced and intensive programs for preparing exceptional students for college and university programs pursuing continuing education in math and science. The School is well suited for the initiative, as they have a great depth of technical resources and have been a power user of Tele-WRITER for many years to provide classroom programs between schools and children at home, without the high cost of video conference equipment and high speed telecommunications circuits.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding CRI's business strategies and future plans of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk and uncertainties. The company's risks and uncertainties include: intense price competition, economic, political and regulatory uncertainties, the need to raise additional capital for growth and expansion and its reliance on the internet as a means for promoting the software it sublicenses. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date hereof and CRI disclaims any obligation to provide public updates, revisions or amendments to any forward-looking statements made herein to reflect changes in CRI's expectations or future events.