Toshiba, Drexel Establish First `'PC as a Benefit'' Program in Higher Education

Business Wire, Nov 1, 2000

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2000

`'Computers for All'' Offers Qualified Drexel Full-Time Staff Personal

Computers and Internet Service for Home At Greatly Reduced Cost

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS) and Drexel University Wednesday announced the "Computers for All" personal computer purchase program, the first of its kind in higher education.

Toshiba's "PC as a Benefit" program is a growing trend in the business world and with the introduction of "Computers for All" at Drexel University, Toshiba has extended the employee PC purchase program to the higher education environment. Maintaining its record of technological innovation, Drexel is the first university to offer a "PC as a Benefit" program to its 1,200 eligible employees.

"Our collaboration with Toshiba will bring the convenience of the Internet and home computing to our employees, at an affordable price," said Drexel President Constantine Papadakis. "Aside from its value in terms of employee retention and recruiting, `Computers for All' is consistent with our goal of providing an environment where everyone has pervasive access to computers."

For less than the typical cost of month-to-month unlimited Internet access, participating Drexel employees will receive both unlimited Internet access and a personal computer. The "Computers for All" program details the following specifications:

--  Full-time Drexel employees hired on or before July 1, 2000 can
    participate.
--  A substantial subsidy from Drexel that reduces the entry level
    price to under $500.
--  Choice of a system from a line-up of three desktops with monitors
    and one laptop computer.
--  Three years of unlimited Internet access through regional Internet
    service provider DCA Net.
--  Pre-configured computers with operating system and applications
    selected by Drexel.
--  As-needed financing through the newly established AJDrexelbank.com
    (operated by TheBancorp.com), first online banking service for a
    U.S. university.

"Employee PC purchase programs are gaining momentum in the business world and changing the way people work and communicate," said TAIS executive vice president Joseph Formichelli.

"With the PC and the Internet as the two driving communication tools of the millennium, these programs demonstrate strong potential to bridge the digital divide by enabling all workers to share in the promise of the Internet revolution."

The three desktop units are equipped with Windows(R) 98 Second Edition, a 56K modem and a TekBright(R) 510V 15-inch monitor. The Toshiba V3100 includes a 566MHz Intel(R) Celeron(R) processor, 64MB of RAM, a 7.5GB(1) hard disk drive and CD-ROM. The Toshiba V3300 model includes a 700MHz Intel Celeron processor, 64MB of RAM, a 20GB(1) hard disk drive and DVD player.

The second Toshiba V3300 configuration option includes an 800MHz Intel Pentium(R) III processor, 128MB of RAM, a 30GB(1) hard disk drive and DVD player.

The laptop selection is Toshiba's Satellite(R) 2800, which includes Windows(R) Millennium Edition, a 650MHz Intel Celeron processor, 64MB of RAM, a 6GB(1) hard disk drive, 56K modem, integrated 10/100 Ethernet, DVD player and a 13.3-inch TFT (active matrix) screen.

Desktop units can be upgraded to include a 17-inch monitor and a three-year extended on-site warranty option is available on all units.

"This employee PC purchase program initiative is an outgrowth of Drexel's long-standing technological focus," said Papadakis. "In 1983, the University was the first to mandate that all students have personal access to a microcomputer. This summer, Drexel became the first major university to implement a high-speed, fully wireless CyberCampus.

"As this fall term began, Drexel became the first institution of higher education to distribute voice recognition software free to its students, faculty and staff -- a total of 15,000 individuals."

Open enrollment for the program begins Thursday, Oct. 27, 2000 at Drexel's Korman Computing Center.

About Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.

With headquarters in Irvine, Calif., and annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion, Toshiba America Information Systems is comprised of six divisions, organized into two business groups, which manufacture, market and service a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States and Latin America.

Products include portable and desktop computers, and PC servers; voice-mail systems; digital business telephone systems; interactive voice-response systems; network systems and digital cameras.

TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $52 billion Toshiba Corp., the eighth-largest computer and electronics company and the world's 26th largest industrial corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.

About Drexel University

Drexel is Philadelphia's technological, co-operative education university. Founded in 1891 by Philadelphia financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, the University is located on 60+ acres in Philadelphia's University City. Drexel is Pennsylvania's only university with a mandatory co-op program.