Wyse Technology Debuts $500 Internet Access, Thin Client Computing Devices Aimed at Home, Educational, Public Access Markets; Avant-Garde, Paperback-Sized, Winterm Consumerizes Thin Client Devices; Four New Winterm Models Offer Point-To-Point Protocol, Modem Capabilities

Business Wire, June 21, 1996

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1996--Wyse Technology, San Jose, Calif., will take $500 thin client computing devices and affordable Internet capabilities into the home, school and public access markets with the introduction of four new members of its Winterm product family. All the new Wyse Winterm information devices provide point-to-point protocol (PPP) and modem capabilities to enable direct connection to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for Net access. The new Winterm models also deliver Microsoft Windows applications to the user.

Highlighting the new Winterm devices is the Model 2300, the most avant-garde member of the Winterm to date. The Model 2300 features a compact, "paperback-book-sized" logic box and the ability to support a wide range of displays for wall-mounting or free standing on a desk independent of the logic box. The striking industrial design of the Model 2300 makes it ideal for office and home use. The sleek, futuristic logic box can sit on the desk of a home or office or be tucked away out of sight for maximum space savings. The Model 2300 is also designed for institutional use in vertical applications such as health care, point of sale, banking, etc.

Along with the Model 2300, Wyse has also introduced the Winterm 2000T, 2500T and 2700T. Also designed for Internet access and other information usages, these new Winterm devices utilize a display-integrated industrial design offering 14- or 15-inch displays. All the new Internet-capable Winterm thin client devices also come with a keyboard and mouse, making Wyse's Winterm family the most complete thin client computing devices available today. Pricing for the new Winterm models begins at $500 and all models will be available in July.

"More and more users in the public and private sectors are considering thin client technology to solve many of their computing issues, and the ability to run Windows in conjunction with Internet access is a distinct advantage," said Michael Heylin, an industry analyst for Creative Strategies, San Francisco. "Wyse's thin client computing devices offer Internet access without all the headaches of a PC. It's a simpler and more elegant solution which requires much less day to day service and support. Wyse is getting out ahead of many other thin client device providers with its new line of Winterm products."

NEW WINTERM MODELS FACILITATE HOME, SCHOOL USE

The addition of the point-to-point protocol (PPP) and modem capabilities greatly expand the market possibilities for Wyse's Winterm line. Now, through Wyse's recent agreements with select ISPs, home users can take advantage of the Internet and access the ISP's library of popular Windows software applications in the same fashion as renting a movie directly from a cable television provider. Winterm is the only $500 device capable of delivering Windows applications to the user, making it appropriate for educational use at a fraction of the cost of a PC and enabling home users without a PC to rent applications for as little as $1 per hour.

Additionally, Moose Logic Technologies, a regional ISP in Woodinville, Wash., has become the first ISP to offer subscribers the opportunity to have a network computing device included for use as part of the basic Internet package. Through a recently initiated combination subscriber service, Moose Logic Technologies' subscribers are provided with a Winterm and unlimited Internet access for $39.95 per month.

"Functionality beyond that of the highly-touted network computer, or NC, of tomorrow is here today with our Winterm product family," said Jeff McNaught, Wyse's director and general manager of advanced platforms. "The original $500 Winterm devices introduced last year delivered Microsoft Windows 3.1, 95 and NT applications to the corporate desktop at a fraction of the cost of a PC. Now, we are delivering Windows applications and Internet access to the home and other markets where cost and functionality are critical issues. This is just the beginning of our Internet strategy as we continue our hallmark of providing the most complete thin client device functionality in the market."

NEW WINTERM MODELS DECREASE PHONE COSTS

The new Winterm models are also expected to be a boon for remote employees and telecommuters who can now dial into the Internet or corporate Intranet via a local telephone call to an ISP. Previously, many remote access workers would be forced to dial directly into the corporation over long distance lines, resulting in significant telephone charges. Employees connected to the home office for up to eight hours daily can now do so for roughly $1 per day versus up to $400 per day when dialing over normal long distance lines, based upon a monthly ISP subscription. Additionally, by connecting via an ISP, remote access employees can also take advantage of the high bandwidth T1 connection utilized by servers at ISP locations. Many Wyse corporate customers using Winterm devices are considering moving field office employees out of rented branch facilities into the home to take advantage of this technology and further reduce overhead costs.