SAN JOSE, CA, GARDEN CITY, NY and FREMONT, CA - June 2, 1997 - Cisco Systems, Inc. and ProginetCorporation announced that enterprises can now connect mainframes and networks running WindowsNT using the Internet. They can accomplish this feat with two new software products, the newlyannounced Cisco IOS(TM) for S/390, and new versions of the Proginet suites. While the suiteswere previously limited to traditional IBM SNA communications networks, now the enhanced suitescan travel on IP networks. The benefits are faster and more dependable communications,streamlined network traffic, and reduced costs. The Proginet suites passed Cisco'sinteroperability tests, which are based upon the OSINET test campaigns, in joint testing.
Cisco IOS for S/390 is a high-performance, mainframe-based implementation of TCP/IP. Ciscobegan shipping the software, which was jointly developed with Interlink Computer Sciences,Inc., in May. This software capitalizes on the power of Cisco 7500 routers and ChannelInterface Processors (CIPs) to eliminate redundant processing and to offload network functionsfrom the mainframe.
The Proginet product line includes two suites for the mainframe environment, HostOffice(TM) andSecureOffice(TM). The HostOffice suite contains software that manages the movement ofinformation between Microsoft BackOffice and IBM mainframes and AS/400s. SecureOffice makesthe security systems of IBM and Microsoft work together as if they were one. While the suiteswere previously limited to traditional IBM SNA communications networks, now the enhanced suitescan travel on IP networks.
The new versions of Proginet's HostOffice and SecureOffice have been designed expressly toleverage advanced new Cisco technology such as TCP Assist. This feature moves checksumprocessing off the IBM host, making transmissions quicker. Furthermore, the Proginet suites nowhave TCP/IP support through routers that can be directly attached to mainframes, eliminatingthe need for expensive gateways. In addition to reducing equipment costs, points of failureare removed.
"By adding support for these advanced Cisco technologies, our customers can build TCP/IPnetworks that are faster, more reliable and contain fewer points of failure", said Joe Mohen,chairman and founder of Proginet Corporation. "Our applications can now communicate from themainframe to the Cisco routers directly, without the need for intermediate devices."
Increasingly, enterprises with mainframe computers are demanding native intranetinfrastructures for their client server applications. Among these, many now consider Windows NTto be strategic.
"Coupled with the advanced TCP/IP and intranet capabilities of Cisco IOS for S/390, Proginet'sHostOffice and SecureOffice suites provide a highly reliable and efficient link between thelocal-area network and the data center," said Chris Markle, vice president of StrategicMarketing at Interlink. "Customers further benefit because these products have been optimizedto work together."
Customer Support via World Wide Web
Technical support for HostOffice and SecureOffice are available through the Internet. Proginethas developed a Web-based customer support system called Proginet Oasis(TM). The system allowscustomers to communicate with Proginet's technical support team, log problems, check the statusof inquiries or request software updates from anywhere in the world, at any time.
About Proginet
Proginet Corporation (VSE:PRF.U) provides its customers with software solutions that integratethe information on mainframe and midrange computers with Microsoft Windows Networks. Foundedin 1986, Proginet is headquartered in Garden City, New York. More information is available athttp://www.proginet.com.
About Interlink Computer Sciences
Interlink Computer Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:INLK) is a leading supplier of high-performancesolutions for enterprise networked systems management. More information is available athttp://www.interlink.com.
Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in theUnited States and/or other countries. BackOffice, Exchange and TransAccess are trademarks ofMicrosoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
HostOffice, Fusion FTMS, SecurPass, SecureOffice, Proginet Oasis, and Proginet are trademarksof Proginet Corporation.
All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
The Vancouver Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for theadequacy or accuracy of this news release, which has been prepared by the companies.
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet. athttp://www.cisco.com.
Cisco IOS is a trademark, and Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo areregistered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All othertrademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
