Global System Services Corporation Launches Performance & Compatibility Testing Service For Lotus cc:Mail Systems in All Network Environments

Business Wire, Jan 27, 1997

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1997--Contrary to popular belief, data corruptions on networks are commonplace. Network hardware and protocol stacks do not necessarily detect these errors. Often problems within the Lotus cc:Mail system are the only indicators that something is wrong, although the problems may have originated elsewhere in the network environment.

Global System Services Corporation (GSS), a Lotus Business Partner specializing in messaging-related consulting services, announced today that they have developed a solution that identifies and corrects the underlying problems. The solution: the first performance and compatibility testing services for cc:Mail systems in all environments.

Global System Services CEO Ron Herardian said, "We've created this new service in response to the frustration expressed by our clients. While network administration has become simpler in many ways, underlying technologies have become increasingly complex. Network environments often contain incompatible components, but customers don't have the tools and methods to troubleshoot low-level, compatibility problems. Underlying problems that impact the performance and reliability of messaging systems and other network applications can go undetected indefinitely."

Companies need GSS's help for two reasons:

1) Troubleshooting -- Compatibility problems at the server or driver levels can result in chronic symptoms in network applications, especially in mission-critical e-mail applications like Lotus cc:Mail.

Another set of issues exists at the desktop and another at the logistical level when introducing new products and technologies.

2) Prevention -- When customers add, reconfigure, upgrade or replace any component of the network environment, there is a risk to the performance and reliability of the messaging system and other network applications. Customers have tactical and strategic commitments to a variety of products and technologies but have no empirical method of determining whether all of the pieces will fit together. Usually, customers implement first and then tackle the problems. With advanced tools and methods, GSS has built both laboratory and real-world test scenarios to provide all the information a customer needs to safely introduce changes into its specific network environment.

Now available, the GSS performance and compatibility testing service covers both the Lotus cc:Mail system and network system design. The process includes:

-- Configuration and standards definition;

-- Development of IEEE standards-based, vendor-approved test plan;

-- Definition and set up of laboratory and real-world test scenarios;

-- Execution of test plan and collection of data;

-- Detailed analysis of numerical and other test data, including the projected real-world implications;

-- Development of specific recommendations covering all aspects of the configuration.

For more information, see the GSS Web site at http://www.gssnet.com or phone 617-628-4440.

ABOUT GSS

Global System Services Corporation is a privately owned Silicon Valley-based consulting services firm with offices in the San Francisco and Boston areas, providing networking, electronic messaging, groupware, Internet and Intranet, and World Wide Web consulting services to customers around the world through an extensive network of expert consultants. GSS is a qualified Lotus Business Partner, a Microsoft Solution Provider, a Netscape Affiliate, and a member of the Electronic Messaging Association (EMA) with industry-certified professionals on staff.

GSS founder and CEO Ron Herardian is a former Lotus cc:Mail Senior Systems Engineer who served as lead engineer of the Lotus cc:Mail Compatibility Test Group at the cc:Mail division headquarters in Mountain View, California. Mr. Herardian, a leading expert on e-mail and the Internet, has written numerous technical papers and articles on electronic messaging. He has been a popular speaker at trade shows and is listed in Mentor Marketing's "Who's Who in Silicon Valley." GSS clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies and U.S. government agencies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

650 Castro Street, Suite 120-268 1770 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 321 Mountain View, CA 94041 Cambridge, MA 02140 415-965-9669 Voice 617-628-4440 Voice 415-965-9679 Fax 617-628-4441 Fax http://www.gssnet.com -0-

Note to Editors: Global System Services is a registered trademark and GSS is a trademark of Global System Services Corporation. Lotus cc:Mail is a registered trademark of cc:Mail,Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lotus Development Corporation. Lotus and Lotus Notes are registered trademarks and Notes is a trademark of Lotus Development Corporation.

CONTACT: Nelson Henning Group

Diane Nelson, 415-967-2387

fax: 415-967-2591

djnelson@hooked.net

or

Global System Services

Ron Herardian, 617-628-4440

rherardi@gssnet.com