Wireless Messaging System adds support for Microsoft Exchange; new version of Socket's PageCard software offers Windows 95 support

Business Wire, Nov 6, 1995

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1995--Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ SmallCap:SCKT and SCKTW) today added Windows 95 support to its PageCard Wireless Messaging System (WMS) for Windows, a complete wireless messaging solution that includes hardware, software and services.

A key improvement is the ability to use the PageCard PC Card alphanumeric pager for delivering wireless information to Exchange Client, the remote e-mail software that Microsoft bundles with Windows 95. The PageCard WMS for Windows now includes a version of TekNow's Mobile Express messaging software that automatically downloads messages from Socket's PageCard directly into a Microsoft Exchange Client inbox. Mobile Express can also download wireless messages into a Microsoft Mail 3.2 or cc:Mail inbox.

Socket has also added support for plug-and-play operation and hot swapping under Windows 95, allowing a user to insert the PageCard receiver into a mobile computer while the Mobile Express application is running. Any messages stored in the PageCard's 128 Kbyte memory are downloaded automatically to the user's e-mail inbox. Messages received by the PageCard while it is plugged into a computer are also downloaded without user intervention. The messaging software detects whether the PageCard user is running Windows 95, Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups, and activates the appropriate hot-swapping technique.

Socket's rules-based Mail Forwarding Agent (MFA), which is currently included with the PageCard WMS for Windows, has also been updated to support Exchange Client. The MFA uses personalized rules to forward messages from a user's office e-mail inbox to any alphanumeric pager. The MFA software now works with Exchange MS-Mail 3.2 clients and an MS-Mail 3.2 Server.

"Wireless e-mail has never been easier or more affordable," said Murray L. Dennis, president and CEO of Socket Communications. "Exchange Client gives every Windows 95 user a powerful remote e-mail package. The PageCard Wireless Messaging System for Windows can use Exchange as a general purpose inbox for both conventional e-mail and text messages sent over the nationwide paging network. If you add Socket's rules-based forwarding agent for MS-Mail or Exchange to convert corporate e-mail into alphanumeric pages, you have an end-to-end wireless connectivity solution for mobile professionals."

As with all PageSoft products, Mobile Express and the Mail Forwarding Agent use the Page Descriptor Footer (PDF) protocol to handle long messages. Long messages are segmented into multiple packets prior to being sent over the paging network and are recombined automatically prior to being deposited in a mobile user's inbox. The PDF allows recombination to work even for messages received out of chronological sequence.

The PageCard Wireless Messaging System for Windows has a retail price of $399 and is available now from Socket. Current users are eligible for free software updates. A version of the PageCard Wireless Messaging System for the Apple PowerBook and Newton MessagePad is also available. For more details, contact Jim Thylin at 510/744-2770. Socket's part number for the PageCard Wireless Messaging System for Windows is 9010-00020. The Mail Forwarding Agent, part no. 9010-00048, is available separately for $299. Additional information is available at Socket's web site, http://www.socketcom.com, or via faxback at 800/503-3853.

Socket Communications Inc. designs, develops and sells data communications solutions for the mobile computer market. All of Socket's hardware products incorporate the PC Card (formerly PCMCIA) interface standard. Socket currently offers its PageCard Wireless Messaging System, a wireless data communications solution consisting of the PageCard receiver, PageSoft communications software and Socket Wireless Messaging Services. In addition, Socket offers a Wireless Global Positioning System PC Card, a family of Ethernet and Serial PC Cards and messaging software.

CONTACT: Socket Communications

Gerald Houston, 510/744-2740

or

A&R Partners

Jennifer Hwang, 415/363-0982