Insyde Technology: News: Press Releases: 3COM and SystemSoft are First to Demonstrate Pre-Boot Managed PC Solution for Notebook Computers

3COM and SystemSoft are First to Demonstrate Pre-Boot Managed PC Solution for Notebook Computers

Leading Networking and PC Card Software Vendors Combine Forces to Bring Benefits of Remote Management to Mobile Computers

NEW YORK CITY, June 17, 1998 - 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) and SystemSoft (Nasdaq: SYSF) today announced they are the first companies to demonstrate pre-boot management capabilities for notebook PCs. The demonstration at PC Expo 98 shows the benefits of remote manageability and previews a technology that could dramatically lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to corporations who operate and manage notebook PCs.

"Imagine the ability to remotely install, service, upgrade and troubleshoot notebooks without visiting each workstation and hunting down laptops," said David Flynn, director of marketing in 3Com's Client Access Business Unit. "3Com's corporate customers expect to manage notebooks the same way they manage desktop PCs."

"SystemSoft has spent nearly a decade providing engineering services to the world's leading portable PC manufacturers," said Robert F. Angelo, chairman and CEO, SystemSoft. "SystemSoft is leveraging its expertise to solve a primary mobile concern: manageability. Through our work with industry leaders, SystemSoft is helping IT managers simplify the manageability of, and drive down the TCO costs for, the increasing number of notebooks that are replacing desktops in the enterprise."

The demonstration uses a SystemSoft BIOS (Basic Input Output System) extension and a 3Com® Megahertz® 10/100 LAN CardBus PC Card to execute a pre-boot management environment in which IS managers can complete remote management functions. That means network administrators can remotely perform time-intensive chores such as initial system configuration, software updates, software configuration repairs and getting repaired notebooks back on-line.

Recent research shows that network administration costs are up to 60 percent higher for notebook computers than desktop computers. (Gartner Group, 1998) By utilizing this pre-boot technology in the future to operate and manage networked notebooks, system administrators can help significantly lower the TCO associated with notebook computers. The system demonstration supports the Wired for Management (WfM) Baseline Specification.

"With most of the leading systems vendors, manageability software suppliers and network card vendors supporting the Wired for Management initiative, all of us can be proud of our achievements in reducing TCO. And as this demonstration shows, more capabilities will be added in the future to support mobile systems," said Terry Dickson, director of the Wired for Management initiative, Intel Corporation.

Wired for Management and Beyond

This technology demonstration at PC Expo is based on 3Com's Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) pre-boot technology. In addition to supporting Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE), in line with WfM specification and currently available on most business desktop PCs, 3Com's MBA works across multiple network protocols, including DHCP, BOOTP, RPL and NCP/IPX. Multiple protocol support eases the integration of MBA into existing platforms. 3Com's MBA also includes enhanced configuration and software utilities to enable manageability right out of the box.

SystemSoft's mobile PXE BIOS firmware provides Pre-Boot dynamic detection and configuration of the notebook's PC Card controller and PC Card, as well as initiates the network boot sequence. SystemSoft's mobile PXE BIOS firmware is BIOS-vendor independent and also supports the WfM specification.

"Once again, SystemSoft is the industry's first firmware technology company to demonstrate support of a key industry specification," said Stephen J. Gentile, vice president of marketing for SystemSoft's Platform Product's Group. "When WfM-enabled PXE is brought to mobile platforms, it will further the effort to make notebooks as fully manageable as desktops are today."

In March 1998, 3Com acquired Lanworks Technologies, a leading provider of PC network boot technologies and products, which are critical components of a complete desktop management environment. This acquisition significantly increased 3Com's ability to design and deliver network interface cards that bring "managed PC" functionality to desktop and now mobile computers. The pre-boot support will be available on selected 3Com Megahertz LAN PC Cards during 1999. Commercial availability of SystemSoft's mobile PXE BIOS firmware is expected in the third quarter, 1998.

3Com is one of the world's leading suppliers of mobile data communications solutions and access products. 3Com's mobile communications division provides a full line of PC Card products including modems, cellular-capable modems, combination cards, Ethernet and Fast Ethernet PC Cards under the 3Com Megahertz brand.

3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to stay more connected by communicating and sharing information and resources anytime, anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million customers worldwide. The company provides large enterprise, small and medium enterprise, carriers and network service providers, and consumers comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at http://www.3Com.com or the press site at http://www.3Com.com/pressbox.

SystemSoft is a leading worldwide provider of enabling software and support technologies for the PC industry. Founded in 1990, the company reported annual revenue of $42.6 million in its 1998 fiscal year. SystemSoft licenses its products primarily to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including PC manufacturers and independent software and hardware vendors. Its customers include Acer, Compaq, Computer Associates, Dell, Gateway 2000, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Micron Electronics, Packard Bell, NEC, Sykes Enterprises, Inc., and Toshiba. Information on SystemSoft products and services is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.systemsoft.com.

3Com and Megahertz are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward looking statements, including statements concerning future product plans. Those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including but not limited to, those relating to product demand, pricing, market acceptance, competitive products, risks in product and technology development, and other risks identified in SystemSoft's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.