OutReach Technologies joins with U.S. Robotics to provide integrated collaborative data conferencing system; OutReach Technologies joins U.S. Robotics' EdgeWare ISV Program with ConferEase for U.S. Robotics' NT-based EdgeServer platform

Business Wire, August 26, 1996

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1996--OutReach Technologies today joined with U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ:USRX) to offer the first-ever NT based remote access server platform with integrated collaborative data conferencing capabilities.

OutReach Technologies, a leader in real-time collaborative computing solutions, now enables customers to integrate ConferEase XCL(TM) software directly into the U.S. Robotics' EdgeServer(TM) platform. This greatly simplifies the creation of large multipoint data conferences using existing hardware technology.

EdgeServer and ConferEase XCL Software Pair For Powerful Solution

For the first time, companies can integrate real-time collaborative data conferencing software directly into their remote access equipment. The powerful combination of ConferEase software and EdgeServer yields performance enhancements for remote access users, increased security, and a reduction of overall network traffic.

By including ConferEase XCL software with the EdgeServer, U.S. Robotics and OutReach Technologies also simplify collaborative computing installation, reduce cabling by as much as 10 times, and as a result, increase manageability and overall reliability of a remote access data conferencing solution.

"Traditional remote access servers have not been enabled for collaborative computing," said Ron Stein, Director of Business Development, OutReach Technologies. "U.S. Robotics has done a tremendous job of blending computing and communications--for the first time our customers can run ConferEase software on a single platform. The combined product will provide a more powerful way to enable collaborative data conferencing, unmatched by any other remote access hardware company."

"We selected OutReach Technologies because of their innovation and well grounded expertise in audio with data conferencing. Their collaborative solutions combined with our remote access platform fit our long range multi-media strategy," said Michael Santiago, Product Marketing Manager, U.S. Robotics Network Systems Division.

ConferEase XCL allows people to work faster and smarter by "bridging" two to several hundred participants into real-time data conferences. Users with access to the Internet/Intranet (TCP/IP), public switched telephone networks (PSTN) and local area networks (LANs) can be conferenced in any combination. ConferEase XCL allows those with application sharing products such as NetMeeting(TM) by Microsoft, to share documents by utilizing their existing personal computers. This powerful family of collaborative conferencing solutions is based on Microsoft's NT operating system and the T.120 standard ratified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The EdgeWare ISV Program is a select program for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to enable new applications to fully utilize the strengths of the U.S. Robotics' EdgeServer. By integrating products from third-party vendors into its remote access platform, U.S. Robotics and its software partners enable customers and resellers to create tailored, self-contained access solutions. Key applications include firewalling, security, caching/proxy services, collaborative computing, Internet and Intranet access, using software that has been tested and certified by U.S. Robotics for use with EdgeServer.

U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products and modems and telephony products that connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses, institutions and individuals. The company's fiscal 1995 sales were $889.3 million; sales for the first nine months of fiscal 1996 were $1.37 billion.

OutReach Technologies, a division of Communication Systems Technology Inc. (CSTI), provides integrated digital communications products that allow people to exchange information and ideas from their desktops by diminishing the constraints of distance, time, and physical location. The company is a pioneer in the industry and developer of the ConferEase series of collaborative solutions platforms. ConferEase is the leading T.120-based multipoint audiographics teleconferencing product family utilizing existing telephone service to allow simultaneous voice and computer document collaboration. OutReach Technologies is based in Columbia, Md., and is a venture-backed company. -0-

ConferEase is a trademark of OutReach Technologies, a division of Communication Systems Technologies Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: OutReach Technologies Inc., Columbia

Susan Van Voorhees, 410/724-3767