Castelle Announces FaxPress Small Business Edition; Complete Fax Server Network Appliance Specifically Designed for Small Business and Workgroups

Business Wire, Feb 16, 2000

Business Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2000

Castelle (Nasdaq:CSTL) today announced the release of FaxPress(TM) Small Business Edition (SBE), a fax server network appliance offering desktop and Internet faxing, specifically designed for the needs of small businesses and workgroups with fewer than 50 users.

Castelle's unique approach to network faxing combines all the necessary hardware and software in one easy-to-install and easy-to-use network appliance that allows users to send and receive faxes from any PC on a local area network. It integrates with all popular office applications including Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSuite and Corel WordPerfect Suite. The FaxPress SBE comes complete with an integrated fax modem, 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface and FaxPress 6.0 software and is available now for only $1,495.00.

"FaxPress SBE provides features normally found in much more expensive fax servers but at a much lower price," said Boris Elpiner, Castelle's director of worldwide marketing. "The cost to implement Castelle's FaxPress is much less than that of a software-only-based fax solution. The introduction of the FaxPress SBE is part of Castelle's continuing commitment to provide desktop messaging solutions for small businesses."

FaxPress SBE is designed for environments that may not have a dedicated MIS staff. It comes with all the necessary hardware and software to integrate fax into a local area network. To install FaxPress SBE a user only needs to connect it to a network and telephone line, and run the provided FaxPress 6.0 configuration software.

This software also provides for easy administration of Castelle fax servers.

Like other members of the FaxPress family, FaxPress SBE integrates with Windows NT/2000 and Novell NetWare network operating systems and also supports Microsoft NT/2000 Terminal Server. FaxPress SBE supports Internet faxing to reduce fax communications costs. Flexible inbound routing delivers faxes directly to the desktop and provides notification of incoming faxes. Optional FaxPress 6.0 PRO software adds integration with popular email packages and offers advanced fax management and integration features.

With optional email-to-fax connections, FaxPress 6.0 can add fax functionality to all popular email systems such as Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, Lotus cc:Mail or any SMTP based email system such as Netscape and Eudora. FaxPress is the easiest way to create a fax/email unified messaging environment.

Castelle's ExchangeDirect interface for Microsoft Outlook(TM) allows users to integrate fax into MS Exchange environments without burdening the Exchange server with image processing and handling of fax messages. FaxPress also integrates with Goldmine sales automation software, Hewlett-Packard's Network 9100 Digital Sender, Cardiff Software's TELEform data collection products, and Castelle's InfoPress Fax-On-Demand system. Additionally, custom integration of fax applications can be quickly and easily created using the free FaxPress Software Developer Kit (SDK).

About FaxPress

FaxPress is a plug-and-forget fax server network appliance, the easiest way to add faxing to your network and integrate fax with email. FaxPress fax servers are available in four models to provide the optimum network fax solution for any sized business. The product line ranges from a single-line FaxPress SBE to an 8-line High-Capacity FaxPress 5000 supporting an unrestricted number of users. Castelle offers, free of charge, hardware support, software upgrades and technical assistance for 60 days after purchase as well as a one-year hardware warranty. Additional information is available for extended support programs.

Castelle offers a free 30-day trial (only available in the USA and UK) of any FaxPress unit so users can take it for a test drive, with no obligation. For a limited time Castelle offers a free LANpress JR print server just for evaluating any FaxPress fax server. Details are available at http://www.castelle.com. or 800/289-7555.

About Castelle

Castelle develops network appliances providing office messaging solutions and other shared services. The company pioneered network appliances, establishing a benchmark for "plug and play" and ease-of-use with its fax and print server product families, first introduced in 1988. Castelle products are installed in the majority of Fortune 1000 companies and in small and medium-sized businesses worldwide and are available through a worldwide network of distributors, value-added resellers, e-commerce retailers, and systems integrators. Castelle is headquartered in Santa Clara and can be reached at 408/496-0474, fax 408/496-0502 or www.castelle.com.

FaxPress is a trademark or registered trademark of Castelle. All other products and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This release as it relates to revenues and other company matters, contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Investors are directed to the Risk Factors section and other information contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete description of the risks and uncertainties relating to the material in this release as well as to other aspects of the company's business.