KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Aug. 21, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Neoware Systems (Nasdaq:NWRE), the leading supplier of software, services, and solutions for the Appliance Computing market, today announced it has released thin client appliances based on the Microsoft Windows CE .NET operating system, Windows CE .NET field upgrades for existing Neoware customers, the Eon Proven Series as part of its growing product offerings, and plans for CE .NET field upgrades for IBM NetVista and NCD ThinSTAR customers.
Windows CE .NET-Based Thin Client Appliances Available Now
Neoware is pleased to announce the immediate availability of Windows CE .NET powered thin client appliances. Neoware's implementation of Windows CE .NET includes Microsoft's RDP 5.1 for deeper color depth, higher resolution, and desktop resource redirection, Citrix(r) ICA 6.3 for better performance and enhanced security, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for richer web browsing, and Pericom's teemTALK terminal emulators for broad legacy systems connectivity. Windows CE .NET includes broader USB driver and printer support, as well as more tightly integrated smart card and 802.11b wireless support, and support for Microsoft .NET Framework.
All products running Neoware software, including Neoware's Windows CE .NET-based thin client appliances, can be managed seamlessly using Neoware's ezRemote Manager Software 2.4 for complete remote management of the appliances from a central location.
Today, Neoware is releasing four new thin client appliances powered by Windows CE .NET. These appliances are the Capio 610, Capio 620, the Eon Preferred 3000, and introducing the Eon Proven Series with the Eon Proven 3100.
"Thin client vendors need a feature-rich and small-footprint operating system that delivers key functionality such as Web browsing and extended peripheral support, which Microsoft has delivered in Windows CE .NET," said Dave Pollon, lead product manager of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "Neoware's Windows Powered thin client appliances, combined with its "ez" technologies, give enterprise customers a powerful and easy way to manage solution for thin client computing."
Neoware's Software-Powered Model Brings Added Value to Windows CE .NET and Beyond
Neoware's software-powered model has enabled Neoware to extend and enhance the functionality of Windows CE .NET through Neoware's leading-edge "ez" technologies, further protecting customers' investments. Neoware's "ez" technologies are led by ezSnap, which allows customers to add new functionality, update existing client software, and modify configurations modularly, without having to replace a complete software image. Neoware pioneered ezSnap functionality nearly three years ago in response to customer requests for real file-system-based thin clients, something other thin client vendors are only today adopting. Other Neoware "ez" technologies include:
-- ezAnywhere: provides appliance "shadowing" to greatly enhance end
user help desk support.
-- ezUpdate: provides centralized, automatic updates of Windows
CE .NET appliances.
-- ezOff: allows Windows CE .NET appliances to power-off without
a lengthy shut down procedure.
-- ezSecure: improves systems administrator and help desk
productivity by further "locking down" appliances to avoid
unauthorized user changes.
-- ezManage: provides a consistent interface for all Neoware
software-powered appliances to be managed by ezRemote Manager and
standard systems management interfaces for products such as IBM's
Tivoli and Computer Associates Unicenter.
Investment Protection for Existing Capio, Eon, NetVista, and ThinSTAR Customers
Neoware, through its software-powered model, will extend customers' investment protection in Neoware, IBM, and NCD thin client appliances through the availability of a Windows CE .NET field upgrade beginning in September. Neoware will provide Microsoft Windows CE. NET operating system upgrades for existing Neoware Capio and Eon devices, IBM NetVista N2200 and N2800, and NCD ThinSTAR 332 WEB and 500 thin clients . In addition, Neoware's ezRemote Manager release 2.4 will seamlessly manage all new and migrated Windows CE .NET-based appliances, as well as any other Neoware software-powered appliances.
Eon Family Extended -- Preferred, Professional, and Proven
Today, Neoware announced the expansion of the Eon Family of products. The previously introduced Eon Preferred Series is the best combination of features, functions, performance, and price for thin client appliances. The Eon Preferred Series demonstrates the key aspects of Neoware's software-powered model, offering multiple operating systems, the flexibility to access virtually any application, and easy connectivity to a wide variety of peripherals. It also adds an industry-standard PCI/ISA slot, allowing users the flexibility to upgrade and expand their capabilities to things such as internal modems, wireless cards, etc. Also previously introduced was the Eon Professional Series which has the same features as the Eon Preferred Series but with additional local processing power and support for higher resolution graphics.
The latest addition to the Eon family is the Eon Proven Series which targets value conscious customers that purchase directly from Neoware and that do not require expansion capabilities. Like the Eon Preferred Series and the Eon Professional Series, the Eon Proven Series complements Neoware's software strategy of offering continuous product enhancements and updates via downloadable software upgrades -- without changing hardware -- providing investment protection to customers with the most capable and feature-rich products.
The newest member of the Eon Proven Series, the Eon Proven 3100, has prices beginning at $399. The newest member of the Eon Preferred Series, the Eon Preferred 3000, is priced starting at $449, and offers expandability and upgradability consistent with all members of the Eon Preferred Series.
The combination of solutions based on the Windows CE .NET operating system in both the Eon Proven and the Eon Preferred Series offers customers a broad selection of alternatives: spanning from value-based to superior expandability and extended investment protection.
Capio and Windows CE .NET
In addition, Neoware has today announced additions to the Neoware Capio product family by releasing two products powered by Windows CE .NET. The Capio 610 and Capio 620 are now available, priced at $399 and $419 respectively.
"Neoware's release of Microsoft Windows CE .NET-based solutions for the Neoware Capio and Eon thin client appliances, the IBM NetVista thin clients, and the NCD ThinSTAR products brings all of these thin client customers the latest Windows technology, as well as a common, easy-to-use management tool," stated Howie Hunger, Neoware's Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Business Development. "This demonstrates the value of Neoware's software-powered model and our dedication to offering our customers true investment protection. The Microsoft Windows CE .NET upgrades for IBM and NCD customers are unique in the marketplace and provide those customers with the latest technology and upgrade paths, extending their investment protection. Finally, all these new Windows CE .NET products fit perfectly with Microsoft's .NET initiative, and allow our customers to benefit from the power of the Microsoft .NET Framework moving forward."
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 have lower up-front and administrative costs than proprietary or PC-based alternatives. More information about Neoware can be found on the Web at www.neoware.com or via email at info@neoware.com. Neoware is based 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. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Citrix(r) is a registered trademark of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other names, products, and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.