New and Enhanced Features Extending E-Commerce Across the Enterprise

Las Vegas, November 16, 1998

Interstar Technologies Inc.®, the definitive leader in enterprise fax solutions, proudly presents at Comdex Fall '98 a major advance in computer-based faxing with the introduction of Fax Messaging, a core component of e-business within the newly released LightningFAX™ 6.0.

Fax Messaging is an essential component in business communications and serves as a critical bridge across all applications. Interstar Technologies has developed rich features within LightningFAX 6.0 that leverage existing network infrastructure and design.

"Until today, most fax server solutions offered many of the same features and were based on simple architecture," says Nicolas Martin, Vice-President of Technology at Interstar. "But Fax Messaging is about extending e-business solutions by adding the fax component to a network's core architecture with an entirely effortless installation."

Built on the reliable and scalable distributed architecture of LightningFAX and incorporating many of its features including SMS support, unified messaging support, DAO and ODBC directories access, an open API and Feedback API, LightningFAX 6.0 enables applications as well as processes.

LightningFAX 6.0 is a true client/server, cross-platform solution operating over TCP/IP networks and native to Windows® NT™, IBM® AIX™ and Sun® Solaris™; clients are available for Windows 95/98 and NT. A Web-based client has been tailored for this new version, enabling non-Windows-based environments to benefit from a superior Fax Messaging solution.

LightningFAX 6.0 supports an unprecedented 1440 lines (60 T-1 lines) per server by incorporating Interstar's patented Distributed Resource Sharing Manager (DRS). Additionally, Interstar Technologies' patented Rasterization Server allows for even greater scalability by offloading the rigorous demands on the CPU required by document conversion. This separate physical server converts (rasterizes) documents and then delivers the images to the LightningFAX outbound queues, ready for faxing. LightningFAX 6.0 combines these two very powerful services with a redesigned Load Balancing Service, ensuring that large volume enterprises experience traffic free faxing, while reducing their port and line needs by up to 30%.

Several new e-mail gateways have been added to version 6.0 of LightningFAX and allow users to send and receive faxes directly from their e-mail clients. E-mail gateway support now includes systems such as Hewlett-Packard® OpenMail™, Novell® GroupWise™, and Sun® Internet Mail Server™ (SIMS). The existing powerful and versatile gateways for Lotus® Notes™, Microsoft® Exchange / Outlook™, and SMTP servers have been improved with greater functionality and are fully compliant with SMTP, MAPI, and POP3 standards. These email gateways support file attachments from most popular applications including Microsoft Office™, Corel® Draw™ and WordPerfect™.

LightningFAX 6.0 now supports client of choice with use of unified messaging or e-mail clients. Support has been added for most other viewers including Wang Imaging®, an image viewer/printer that ships with Windows 95 and NT 4.0. The LightningFAX 6.0 Viewer has been significantly improved, allowing users to easily view and manipulate incoming and outbound faxes. The impressive collection of annotation tools is enhanced with the newly added Stamp feature that allows users to easily add pre-defined messages in bitmap format to any fax.

LightningFAX 6.0 also takes advantage of its support for DAO, ODBC and MAPI connectivity to contact sources, thus eliminating the need to maintain separate phone books just for fax. Support for public, private and group phone books has been added, while phone books are customizable by users or administrators.

The newly revamped Broadcast Module now allows users to broadcast faxes to multiple recipients quickly and easily with individually customized coversheets. This robust module enables users to simultaneously send faxes with attachments to any number of recipients in the LightningFAX phone book. The new attachment interface closely resembles the Windows Explorer making it very easy to manage attachment files. Files can be moved, copied or pasted into folders, all with a simple mouse click.

An enhanced routing log compiles information on faxing activity in a format similar to a spreadsheet input table. The information is stored within a TIFF file and cannot be altered. The user's name, fax destination, originator, group and resource information can be added automatically, and are configurable features at a group level by administrators.

Interstar Technologies is recognized as the innovative leader in the fax server industry. Strategic partnerships with established vendors include IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Sun Microsystems Inc., Ericsson®, Dialogic Corporation®, and Brooktrout Technology Inc.® These alliances have enabled the company to develop the most powerful, integrated fax messaging solutions available today. Serving as the superior platform in desktop faxing, Interstar Technologies' scalable and robust enterprise solutions have been implemented by organizations worldwide.

Interstar Technologies is a privately held company based in Montreal and can be reached at + 1 (514) 766-1668.

For more information, please contact:
Peter Godber
Interstar Technologies Inc.
Phone: (514) 732-4318
xmediusfax.info@sagemcom.com