KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., March 28, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Neoware Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:NWRE), the leading supplier of award-winning software, services, and solutions for the Appliance Computing market, today announced that Keystone Automotive Industries has standardized on Neoware's Eon thin client appliances.
Keystone Automotive Industries is the North American leader in the supply of premium quality replacement auto body parts and supplies to the collision repair industry. Keystone has expanded throughout its over 50-year history and currently has 113 distribution and warehouse facilities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Committed to quality and saving customers money, Keystone offers one of the widest selections of aftermarket replacement collision parts and supplies in the industry.
Looking to replace outdated PCs with a more secure, flexible, and cost-effective system, Keystone researched and tested thin client appliances. By reviewing technical briefs and articles in trade publications, Keystone saw the benefits of server-based appliance computing. They established parameters that needed to be met by the selected thin client, including being sturdy and durable to handle a warehouse environment, flexible with the ability to change operating systems without changing hardware, and expandable to accommodate greater functionality. After testing Neoware thin client appliances and those of a leading competitor, Keystone standardized on Neoware's Eon product line.
Keystone requires connectivity to a Citrix(r) MetaFrame(r) server for Windows applications, telnet access into their Unix database, and a local Intranet browser because of bandwidth restrictions. Microsoft Office, industry specific software running from their data center, as well as the ERP system currently being implemented, needed to be supported.
Neoware's thin client appliances fit the requirements, enabling Keystone to connect to the necessary applications, databases, and browsers, while exceeding the specified parameters. The durability of Neoware's products is twofold in making them an attractive alternative to other thin clients and PCs: The rugged metal casing is designed to stand vertically, horizontally under monitors, or mounted under a desktop; and with no moving parts, such as a fan or internal disk drive, that could be impacted by dust or other airborne particles common in a warehouse environment.
Additionally, the flexibility and expandability Keystone wanted to accommodate future product requirement changes were tested very soon after the first Neoware units were installed when Keystone opted for a wireless solution to avoid the expenses associated with time consuming site surveys and cabling to wire the facilities. Neoware's thin client appliances include an internal ISA/PCI slot that enables the addition of a wireless Ethernet card. This, coupled with Keystone's Citrix environment, provides a cost-effective solution that may not have been as simple had Keystone gone with a less capable thin client.
The security benefits thin clients offer is another factor Keystone considered. With no internal disk drive, no personal software can be installed onto the workplace desktop or system, providing complete security and immunity from viruses.
"Neoware's products have made our job much easier with the security, functionality, and performance they offer," stated Jesus Arriaga, CIO of Keystone Automotive Industries. "A cost-effective alternate to PCs, with remote manageability and upgradeability, Neoware's thin client appliances allow us to save money while increasing reliability. Most importantly, the flexibility of these products has been proven in the first part of our installation with our decision to go wireless, which could have been more difficult and expensive had we gone with a product other than Neoware's."
About Neoware
Neoware provides software, services, and solutions to enable Appliance Computing, a new 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 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 and services 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 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 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 and risks associated with foreign operations. 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 and ezRemote Manager are registered trademarks of Neoware Systems, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Citrix(r), and MetaFrame(r) are registered trademarks or trademarks 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.