Lantronix announces plans to enter remote office and network analyzer markets and expand Ethernet switch product line; company's "product roadmap" highlights strategic direction

Business Wire, August 2, 1995

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1995--Lantronix, a provider of cost-effective, Ethernet workgroup connectivity products, Wednesday announced its product roadmap for the upcoming year, which includes new products in the fast growing remote access, network analyzer, Ethernet switch and Fast Ethernet markets.

The products are an integral part of the company's strategy to enter established, fast-growing markets for workgroup connectivity products. Based on this strategy, the company has grown an average of 80 percent per year over the past six years to reach $35 million in revenues. The company is one of the top three vendors of multiprotocol print servers and is a premier supplier of multiprotocol terminal servers.

"The new slate of products we'll announce over the next year meets our vision to enter established markets that are growing rapidly," said Jerry Hall, Lantronix vice president of marketing. "Lantronix's `virtual corporation' business model allows the company to move quickly to deliver next generation products to users."

Remote Access

With the growing need for remote office users and telecommuters to access an office network or the Internet, Lantronix will deliver a family of remote access products. In September, the company will launch its first product in the Lantronix Remote Server (LRS) series. That product will be a remote access server designed for the branch office and priced less than $1,000. The device will have dial-up routing capabilities for both LAN-to-LAN and remote user dial-in applications.

In the first half of 1996, the company will expand its remote access product line with a higher density remote access server for the central office in addition to an Integrated Switched Digital Network (ISDN) remote access device.

Network Analyzers

The increasing complexity of networks has expanded the market for network and protocol analyzers, and Lantronix will add several new compact analyzers to its product line throughout 1995 and 1996. The protocol analyzer products will be complete hardware/software solutions and will offer functionality and pricing that is competitive with software only solutions. Another line of remote monitoring (RMON) probes will also be offered in early 1996.

Ethernet Switches

Users are buying Ethernet switches as a low-cost way to expand network throughput for workgroups and Lantronix will expand its switch offering. In the last quarter of 1995, Lantronix will add a workgroup 10/100 Ethernet switch with an optional Fast Ethernet port.

That product will be followed in 1996 by several additional switches with higher Ethernet port density and additional Fast Ethernet ports. To round out its switching product line, the company will add remote monitoring (RMON) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) functionality to its Ethernet switches in the second half of 1996. In addition to the Fast Ethernet options on the new switch products, Lantronix will produce additional Fast Ethernet connectivity products in 1996.

Company Strategy

Lantronix was formed in 1989 as a virtual corporation to quickly respond to market opportunities for workgroup networking products. The company has built an internal marketing organization that defines products and then works closely with strategic engineering and manufacturing partners to design and build those products. With this strategy, the company can keep overhead costs low for better pricing, and focus on being close to its customers and responding to their needs.

Lantronix develops and markets a complete line of easy to use, cost-effective Ethernet connectivity products for workgroup applications. They include physical layer connectivity products (transceivers, port multipliers, and hubs). They also develop terminal servers, print servers and bridges/switches which are multiprotocol devices supporting the most popular operating systems and protocols in the network environment. The company also offers free Ethernet tutorial and product guide.

Lantronix's headquarters is at 15353 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, Calif. 92718. Sales inquiries can be directed to 714/453-3990 or 800/422-7015, or by fax at 714/453-3995.

CONTACT: WhiteLight Communications

Samantha White, 408/934-9987

sam@wlight.com

or

Lantronix

David Rodewald, 714/453-7166

david.rodewald@lantronix.com