Infonet adds Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise support to global NOTICE Server messaging service, already serving Microsoft Exchange Server customers; now covers more of the worldwide LAN-based groupware and electronic mail market than any other provider

Business Wire, May 1, 1996

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 1996--Infonet Services Corp. Wednesday announced that its global NOTICE Server messaging service now supports Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise -- two of the most popular client/server-based groupware applications.

NOTICE Server was first introduced earlier this month as a major addition to the NOTICE family of messaging solutions that are an integral part of Infonet's next generation Global WorkPlace application services.

The initial NOTICE Server offering supported Microsoft Exchange Server customers. By adding support for Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise, NOTICE Server now addresses all of the most pervasive LAN-based client/server groupware and e-mail systems.

NOTICE Server lets Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise users cost-effectively communicate with a wide range of messaging systems. For example, NOTICE Server gives them full access to individuals who use the Internet, "offnet" services (fax, telex, pagers), other LAN e-mail systems, such as cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail and NetWare Global MHS, and e-mail systems reachable through Infonet's more than 35 X.400-based ADMD connections.

Enables Interoperatibility Between Users on Diverse Networks, Platforms

A network protocol-independent solution that enables interoperability between users of all types of networks and platforms, the global NOTICE Server messaging service resides on Infonet's World Network and is accessible in more than 175 countries. Because Infonet manages and maintains the NOTICE Server service round-the-clock, customers can avoid hiring more personnel or investing in additional premise equipment, systems and training.

Since there is no need for costly and support-intensive hardware and software gateways at their site, the overall cost of their messaging network can be greatly reduced as well. The short- and long-range savings derived from this Infonet solution can therefore be substantial for companies who are migrating to the client/server environment.

Eliminates Customer Expense, Burden of Installing More E-mail Gateways

Both Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise represent a strategic and growing base of messaging users who require interoperability with other systems, but who do not want to incur the cost or the added burden of installing and managing more premise-based e-mail gateways," said Bruce Robertson, program director, Global Network Strategies Service for META Group in Reston, Va.

"By combining native support for Lotus Notes and GroupWise to its existing family of global solutions for cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail, Global MHS, SMTP and Microsoft Exchange Server users, Infonet now covers most of the worldwide LAN-based groupware and electronic mail market -- more than any other provider.

Alex Rassey, general manager of Infonet's Global WorkPlace Services, pointed out that adding support for Lotus Notes and Novell GroupWise to NOTICE Server is part of an overall Infonet strategy to combine full interoperability with added value at the application level.

"Earlier this year, we announced our Global WorkPlace family -- a set of seven application-level services -- in response to our customers' increasing requests for added value at the application-level," Rassey commented.

"Messaging is integral to the entire set of Global WorkPlace Services and is one of the fastest-growing businesses for Infonet. By continuing to add new offerings -- particularly those that support such prevalent products as Lotus Notes and GroupWise -- to our broad range of existing NOTICE messaging services, we can satisfy the requirements of our existing customers, while adding substantially to our overall customer base," he said.

Pricing and Availability

NOTICE Server customers will pay a flat monthly fee, depending on the number of users, plus a wide area network connection charge for the Infonet network services they use. The new support for Lotus Notes and GroupWise will be available in July 1996.

Infonet Services Corp. is a world leader in providing reliable, state-of-the-art international communication solutions to global enterprises. Infonet specializes in value-added services and managed networks, which are supported locally in 56 nations. Infonet's World Network -- a high-speed, ATM-enabled network -- is accessible in more than 175 countries.

The company's Global WorkPlace offering is a powerful suite of next generation application services for messaging, directory services, workgroups, electronic commerce, LAN management, private intranets and multimedia solutions. Infonet is jointly owned by a number of the world's leading telecom operators.

CONTACT: Infonet Services Corp.

Pat Gale, 310/335-2877

Internet: galep@infomail.infonet.com