Worldtalk ships Internet mail connector compatible with Microsoft Mail server; first in a series of Windows server-based NT gateways debuts

Business Wire, Sept 11, 1995

LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1995--Worldtalk Corporation, the leading independent developer of messaging integration and directory synchronization software, today announced the availability of NetConnex, a new high-performance Internet mail connector for Microsoft Mail.

Robust, reliable, and easy-to-install, NetConnex allows users of this e-mail system to easily send and receive messages, multimedia documents and file attachments among users on the Internet, users of public e-mail services such as America Online, CompuServe, and Prodigy, and users of UNIX-based e-mail systems.

NetConnex is the first commercially available member of a family of Windows NT-based gateways and directory synchronization units conceived of Worldtalk's on-going cooperative relationship with Microsoft Corporation. Per the companies' agreement, Worldtalk will deliver products which ensure robust connectivity among Microsoft Mail Server and Microsoft Exchange Server and other common electronic mail products.

"Worldtalk's commitment to Windows NT Server, Microsoft Exchange and the Microsoft BackOffice strategy and family of products has been clear from the beginning. As a leading independent vendor of messaging and directory switching technology, we are excited to have Worldtalk provide Internet mail connectivity for our existing Microsoft Mail users," said Rob Shurtleff, general manager of the workgroup solutions product unit at Microsoft.

Designed as a drop-in replacement for Microsoft's existing MS-DOS-based SMTP gateway as well as for users of the recently released Windows NT-based Microsoft Mail Server version 3.5, NetConnex provides full Protocol/Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extension (SMTP/MIME) capability. This ensures bi-directional delivery of multimedia electronic mail and file attachments among Internet-based and Internet-connected electronic mail systems. NetConnex is also compatible with the forthcoming Microsoft Exchange Server as well as the Exchange Inbox in Windows 95.

Microsoft Exchange-Based Gateways in Development

Worldtalk also announced details on its development of a Microsoft Exchange-based messaging and directory switch with multiple e-mail systems and databases. Worldtalk will ship a series of "entry-level" point-to-point connectors linking Microsoft Exchange with IBM's Lotus Notes and cc:Mail as well as Novell's GroupWise systems. These point-to-point connectors will themselves roll-up into an enterprise-capable Windows NT and X.500-based switch.

"Worldtalk's strategy of providing Microsoft Mail and Exchange-based connectivity from the workgroup and department level up to the enterprise maps exactly to Microsoft's own strategy of scalable messaging solution," said Peter Braketselos, Microsoft Mail Product Manager for Australia. "We have many small customers in the 50-user range, and we also have some of the largest distributed computing customers in the world using Microsoft Mail and looking to migrate to Microsoft Exchange Server."

Product Highlights

NetConnex is fully SMTP, as well as MIME compliant. It supports message tunneling over the Internet and converts message body and text attachments among a wide variety of international character sets. The product takes full advantage of Windows NT monitoring and administrative functions, including remote logging and configuration. Equally as important as its enterprise-ready functionality, the product has been praised for its ease-of-use.

"Connecting to the Internet, while critically important, is frankly no easy task," said Brad Funkhauser, Project Director of Microhouse, a 50 user software developer located in Colorado. "Worldtalk's NetConnex made it easy. The product is simple to install and easy to administer -- even their telephone support was timely and knowledgeable. With NetConnex, we've been sending and receiving mail flawlessly."

NetConnex is available immediately from Worldtalk Corporation. It is priced internationally at $995 per Internet-connected postoffice and $595 for downstream postoffice access license rights. Available direct and through Microsoft Mail resellers in North America, the product will be sold internationally through Microsoft distributors and resellers. For sales information, contact Worldtalk at 408/399-4048 or 800/454-4674.

The Company

Worldtalk Corporation, founded in 1992 and based in Los Gatos, Calif., is the leading provider of messaging integration products and intelligent directory services. The Worldtalk product family is distinctive in that it provides value-added messaging and directory integration services, such as directory synchronization and superior address management, that allow users to work in their native e-mail system and use normal addressing and attachment procedures. The system's sophisticated services and standards-based architecture make it easier for system administrators to configure, install, maintain and manage. Worldtalk can be reached at 408/399-4000. -0-

Note to Editors: Microsoft, Windows NT, MS-DOS and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.