SoftBook Press and ComputerPREP Form Alliance to Promote eBook Technology; SoftBook Press Names ComputerPREP as Inaugural Member of its Alliance Partner Program

Business Wire, May 25, 1999

MENLO PARK, Calif. and PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 1999--

SoftBook Press, Inc. today named ComputerPREP, Inc., one of the world's largest providers of technology training materials, as a founding member of its new Alliance Partner Program. ComputerPREP, which produces more than 90,000 training manuals per month, will become a reseller of the SoftBook System(TM) -- an end-to-end solution that enables organizations to publish and prepare critical business documents for secure distribution using electronic book readers. In addition to providing more than 300 courseware titles in eBook format, ComputerPREP will resell the SoftBook(R) Reader and will also offer content preparation and installation services for its customers who implement the SoftBook System.

By combining technologies and resources, SoftBook Press and ComputerPREP have developed a state-of-the-art, comprehensive electronic delivery system that organizations can use to distribute company documents more efficiently and effectively, enhancing their performance training programs. The SoftBook Reader features a full-page screen capable of displaying the detailed graphics and grayscale images often found in training materials. It also allows users to download content from the Internet using only a standard telephone line -- no PC is required.

"The SoftBook System offers all of the services the market will want and need, including immediate access to corporate training and Internet-based information," said Peter Buswell, president, ComputerPREP. "Our monthly publishing needs are enormous, so the new electronic book technologies naturally caught our attention right away. With SoftBook Press' turnkey approach, we can provide another way to effectively meet the market's demand for excellence, convenience and flexibility in courseware and through our knowledge appliance service model."

"As part of our commitment to anticipating customers needs, we also have introduced 'DocuPREP,' our new paperless publishing system that converts customer documents for use in the SoftBook(R) Reader and includes porting documents into the Open eBook - Standard format. The beauty of this system is that DocuPREP can convert files from almost any format, including QuarkXPress(R), Microsoft(R) Word, and Adobe(R) PageMaker(R)," Buswell added.

"Anyone who has been tracking the electronic publishing and document distribution segment recently recognizes that it is exploding with opportunities," said Kimberly M. Woodward, director of marketing, SoftBook Press Enterprise Technology Group. "Alliance Partners such as ComputerPREP will play a vital role in helping extend our reach to deliver integrated products and services that address the document distribution and reading challenges of our customers in a variety of markets."

Alliance Partner Program Overview

The SoftBook Alliance Partner Program is structured to serve the needs of the following five categories of partners: software vendors, services partners, value added resellers, content providers and marketing partners. Creating alliances with companies that have domain expertise in a specific industry or application enables SoftBook Press to address the widespread interest it has received for both the SoftBook Reader and its Internet-based document distribution system. Customers will ultimately benefit from this approach which combines SoftBook Press' state-of-the-art offerings with products and services from industry-leading vendors. SoftBook Press will provide a range of technical, sales and marketing support and services, as well as training and education programs for its Alliance Partners to help ensure their success.

About ComputerPREP, Inc.

With headquarters in Phoenix, Ariz. and offices worldwide, ComputerPREP designs and delivers technology training products and services to businesses and educational institutions. ComputerPREP's award-winning courseware covers all PC and Windows applications (Office 95, 97 and 2000), networks, A programming languages, Internet Webmaster curriculum, Oracle, SAP, Unix, and Internet-related products. ComputerPREP is a member of the Drake International Technology Group. For more information and additional press releases, visit the company's Web site at www.computerprep.com or call 800/228-1027.

About SoftBook Press, Inc.

SoftBook Press is creating the future of reading for both individuals and corporations through its system for secure, Internet-enabled distribution of ebooks and corporate documents. The company's products include the SoftBook Reader, the only eBook reader that can access content without going through a PC; and a patent-protected, Internet-based document distribution system that includes content preparation tools, Web site software modules, and document encryption and security services. The company's SoftBookstore distributes electronic versions of books and periodicals from leading publishers. SoftBook Press is a co-creator and strong supporter of the Open eBook standard. Based in Menlo Park, Calif., SoftBook Press is a privately held company. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.softbook.com/enterprise