Advanced IMAP4 E-mail client from CommTouch takes Internet E-mail to a new level; exclusive features deliver ultimate E-mail mobility and enable server-based folder management and data sharing

Business Wire, May 12, 1997

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1997--Taking the lead to bring Internet E-mail to a level surpassing PC and host-based systems, CommTouch has introduced its Pronto97 E-mail package.

Incorporating the latest IMAP4 (Internet Message Access Protocol) standard, the package also provides enhanced support to POP3 (Post Office Protocol) systems still in wide use.

"IMAP4 opens a new realm of possibilities for those who rely heavily on E-mail as a mission-critical application," said Nahum Sharfman, CommTouch founder and chief executive officer. "Unlike its store & forward based POP3 predecessor, IMAP provides full client-server capabilities. The challenge for E-mail clients is to take full advantage of those capabilities and make them available to end users in a friendly manner. Most IMAP clients simply offer POP3 functionality over the IMAP protocol."

Pronto97 is the latest version of the Pronto96 E-mail package recognized as PC Magazine's best Internet E-mail product of 1996. "Pronto97's capabilities are revolutionary," says Sharfman. "E-mail packages such as Netscape's Communicator and Microsoft's Outlook don't provide the serious business user with the significant benefits that the IMAP4 standard makes possible."

Business advantages of Pronto97

Pronto97 support for both POP and IMAP enables easy migration for users still working with the old protocol. With IMAP, Pronto97 users access and maintain their folders on the server and locally on the client, and enjoy support in all three IMAP4 modes: online, off-line and disconnected. When working in disconnected mode at home or traveling, local folders are seamlessly synchronized with server based folders during connect time. This facilitates central management of E-mail by a company administrator. Central backup of files ensures that a dropped laptop or hard disk crash will not cause loss of the user's valuable E-mail data.

Users can define different environments for office, home, mobile or other usage scenarios. Each environment can be programmed to screen E-mail messages according to parameters defined by the user, such as message size, sender, date, etc. Those filters can be overridden manually by the user during a mail download session. Partial downloading of attachments is also possible. Among the sophisticated exclusives of Pronto97 are features that speed, secure and simplify E-mail use. These features include completely automated attachment compression/decompression, and automatic virus scan.

Pronto97 is even more user-friendly, and adds many useful features to an already impressive list that earned its predecessor the Product of the Year. The product is available now for $59.00. A fully functional, 30-day trial version can be downloaded at http://corp.commtouch.com/pronto97.html .

About CommTouch

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, CommTouch's ongoing mission is to lead in the development of Internet E-mail products for business and consumer environments. The company is an E-mail client supplier to major corporate customers such as SUN, IBM, 3M and Nippon Telephone & Telegraph and has distributed more than 3.5 million copies to date.

CONTACT: CommTouch Inc.

Nahum Sharfman, 408/245-8682, x103

nahum@commtouch.com

or

The Weber Group

Christine Hinton, 415/463-8613

chinton@webergroup.com