Meridian Data Adds Powerful Software for Managing Unlimited Number of CDs over Microsoft Windows NT Server-Based Networks; New Universal Windows-Based Client Applications Enable Cross-Platform CD Access for Windows NT Server and NetWare Networks

Business Wire, Jan 30, 1996

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 1996--Meridian Data, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:MDCD) today announced CD Net v2.0 for Windows NT, powerful new application tools for managing and accessing CD ROMs over the Microsoft Windows NT Server operating system.

Significantly enhancing its industry-first CD Net for Windows NT product, Meridian's new suite of client applications for the Windows operating system includes remote administrative tools for securing, managing and launching an unlimited number of CD ROMs, and end-user tools for accessing CD applications automatically.

The new software enables clients to access CDs from multiple servers on a Windows NT-based network using an intuitive graphical interface -- an industry first. The ability to share CDs anywhere on the network increases productivity: installed PCs do not need to be retrofitted with CD ROM drives; organizational sneaker net is eliminated; and asset control of discs and subscriptions is optimized.

"With Meridian's advanced networking applications, administrators and users of Windows NT Server now have Windows-based tools for controlling and accessing CD ROM information," said Gianluca Rattazzi, president and chief executive officer of Meridian Data. "As businesses increasingly deploy Windows NT Server-based solutions throughout their organizations, the ability to uniformly manage and grow their CD resources -- frequently operating in mixed Microsoft and Novell environments -- has become very important."

"We're pleased that Meridian Data is delivering these innovative CD networking tools for Windows NT Server," said Mike Nash, group product manager for Windows NT Server at Microsoft Corp. "This provides our customers with even more choices available to them when adopting Windows NT Server solutions."

New CD Client Applications

The new CD Net software includes a new suite of client productivity applications: CD Manager for the network administrator, and CD User for the end-user.

With Meridian's universal client graphical user interface (GUI), the Windows-based tools vastly simplify the process of managing and using CDs. The software enables authorized network users to simultaneously share individual disc titles, subject to licensing provisions which can be enforced through its metering utility.

CD Manager provides both logical resource and physical device views of the compact disc resources available on each Windows NT Server. It allows the administrator to see an unlimited number of CD ROM drives and establish disc/user share points on multiple servers from one remote Windows-based PC -- an industry first. The remote management GUI tools enable CD volume groups to be created, edited, deleted and mounted. The number of CD ROMs mounted to an individual servers is not limited to the number of available drive letters.

Once share points are established, clients can simultaneously access CDs on any server on the network -- another industry first -- viewing them as individual discs or grouped as subdirectories under desktop drive letters.

CD User gives the network client a simple, icon-based menu interface for accessing CD ROMs. With this interface, the administrator or user has the ability to launch applications, create and edit multiple menu databases, browse for resources and create desktop icons. Its highly-configurable feature set allows the administrator to tailor different levels of service for expert or novice users.

The administrator can easily associate CD content (files) with an application (program). A typical association might be a specialized database (i.e., legal, education, healthcare, etc.) with its specific search engine. Once set up, each title is represented as an icon in the CD User graphical menu or on the network user's desktop. The CD is launched by simply double-clicking on the icon. This unique feature increases user productivity by automating network connections to shared CD ROM databases and application programs. The software takes care of client connection to and disconnection from share points in Windows NT Server, assigning and freeing up resources as required.

Standard network operating system vendors do not include features such as Meridian's automated CD ROM application launcher. The new CD Manager and CD User client applications provide common resource management tools for mixed Microsoft Windows NT and Novell NetWare environments -- an industry first.

Broad Network Platform Support

CD Net for Windows NT is easily configurable on existing Windows NT Servers -- adding CD ROM services to database, print, file and communications services. For heavy-use installations, a dedicated PC server with a large number of attached CD ROM drives can be configured using Windows NT Server or Windows NT Workstation. Meridian also offers the CD Net 914/W and 956/W line of integrated CD ROM servers, supporting up to 56 high-performance 4x- or 6x-speed SCSI drives per server.

The new Meridian software provides multiuser simultaneous CD ROM access for graphical 32- and 16-bit network clients running the Windows NT Workstation, Windows 95, Windows 3.x and Windows for Workgroups operating systems. It also enables native drive letter access for clients running OS/2 or the MS-DOS operating system.