SoftArc Announces Windows Version of Leading Workgroup Communication
Server

FirstClass Server for Microsoft Windows to Offer Same E-Mail, Conferencing,
Database and Remote Access Functions as Best-Selling Macintosh Product

MARKHAM, Ontario -- SoftArc Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of
enterprise-wide, cross-platform group communication software, today
announced a version of its popular FirstClass enterprise communications
server for Microsoft Windows. In conjunction with SoftArc's FirstClass
client software -- already available for Windows, Macintosh and terminal
emulation environments -- the new FirstClass Windows server will offer
sites with PC servers the full power of FirstClass (previously Macintosh
server-based).

SoftArc's president, Steven Asbury, acknowledged the influence of strong
customer demand in the company's decision to release a Windows server
version. "The installed base of FirstClass users has grown rapidly since
the product's release three years ago -- in fact doubling to over
2,000,000 user licenses in the last year. While this currently makes
FirstClass the best-selling group communication software package, we
believe there is an even greater pent up demand based on the number of
customers requesting a Windows version of our plug-and-play FirstClass
server. This new product will allow us to satisfy that demand."

The FirstClass Windows server will require a 386 or better CPU running at
least Windows 3.1, and will recognize popular PC serial expansion hardware
for support of multiple modems. When running under Windows NT, the
FirstClass server will offer higher performance and support for additional
simultaneous users. FirstClass servers optimized for Windows NT and
Windows 95 will be made available following this initial product release.

Users of existing FirstClass client software will be able to transparently
connect to either the new Windows server or existing Macintosh servers.
The Windows server will seamlessly integrate with existing FirstClass
servers by network, WAN or modem connection for e-mail exchange and
discussion database replication. As with the Macintosh product, the new
FirstClass server will accommodate modem and multiprotocol network
connections (IPX, NetBIOS, TCP/IP and AppleTalk) as well as take advantage
of asynchronous disk I/O and other advanced file system features supported
by Windows.

While the FirstClass Windows server will work with existing FirstClass
gateways, third party developers are working on Windows versions of their
shipping FirstClass products. TGF Technologies of Burlington, Vermont,
Delphic Software of Redlands, California and World Connect of Toronto all
plan to release Windows versions of their FirstClass gateways and
extensions.

The FirstClass Windows server is now in beta testing and is scheduled for
volume shipment in the second quarter of 1995. The price will be the same
as SoftArc's current server for Macintosh, available for $690 with
licensing for 10 users. Additional platform and protocol options and user
licenses will be sold separately.

FirstClass is the leading cross-platform, enterprise-wide group
communication system, with 2.5 million user licenses sold worldwide.
FirstClass integrates state-of-the-art e-mail with group conferencing,
access to existing corporate databases, forms processing, real-time
discussions and on-line communications functions. FirstClass offers the
same ease of use, functionality and robust performance over network or
modem, and operates in Macintosh, Windows, DOS, OS/2 and terminal
emulation environments. The product is available in 12 languages and is
used by businesses, educational institutions, governments and private
individuals in more than 30 countries. SoftArc is headquartered in
Markham, Ontario, Canada.

______________________________________________________

SoftArc Inc. Global Area Communications

100 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, CANADA, L3R 6H3
1902 Ridge Road, #325, West Seneca, New York, USA, 14224

Tel: 905-415-7000  Fax: 905-415-7151  FirstClass: 905-415-7070
Internet: sales@softarc.com

______________________________________________________

FirstClass Server for Windows Q&A

The following are answers to common questions on the forthcoming FirstClass
Windows server. Full information will be available upon product release.
While this information is accurate at this time, specifications are
subject to change.

Q: How will the FirstClass Windows server be different from the existing
server?

A: The Windows server will offer the same feature set as the current
FirstClass server for Macintosh... and more. All of the existing mail
functionality and workgroup features of the Macintosh FirstClass server
will be available on the Windows server. The Windows server will expand
upon the Macintosh feature set by offering enhanced backup procedures and
expanded network protocol support.

Q: Will users on Windows servers be able to exchange messages with users on
Macintosh servers?

A: FirstClass servers for Windows and Macintosh will communicate seamlessly
over LAN, WAN or periodic dial-up connection. Neither server makes
assumptions about the platform of the other in its communications; both
will replicate discussion databases, exchange private mail and synchronize
directories as in current Macintosh server-to-server connections.

Q: What version of Windows is the FirstClass server written for?

A: The initial FirstClass server for Windows will be a 16 bit application
written for Windows 3.1. Even under 3.1, the FirstClass server will
surpass the performance and capacities of most other PC communication
servers.

Soon after the release of the server for Windows 3.1, SoftArc will release
FirstClass servers for Windows NT and Windows 95. These versions will
offer better disk I/O, larger capacities and other improvements.

Q: How will the capacities of the FirstClass Windows server compare with
the existing Macintosh server?

A: Like the Macintosh server, the Windows server -- even under 3.1 -- will
be a high performance communications engine capable of serving many
thousands of people. The base server for Windows 3.1 and the server for
Windows NT are expected to compare as follows:

                                  Macintosh    Windows 3.1     Windows NT

 Maximum Number of Users:           10,000+        10,000+        100,000+
 Maximum Simultaneous Users:           100             70             250
 Modems Per Server:                     48             70             250
 Files Per Volume:                  64,000         64,000       Unlimited
 Network Protocol Options:          TCP/IP         TCP/IP          TCP/IP
                                       IPX            IPX             IPX
                                 AppleTalk      AppleTalk       AppleTalk
                                                  NetBIOS         NetBIOS

(Specifications of the Windows 95 server will be available upon the release
of Windows 95.)

Q: Will the Windows server be a "version 1.0" product written from the
ground up?

A: No. The FirstClass Windows server is a port of SoftArc's existing
Macintosh server, the same solid, proven code currently accommodating 2.5
million users worldwide. The initial Macintosh server was written with few
assumptions as to the hardware it would run on, making the Windows
conversion process reasonably straightforward. Only a small percentage of
the server code, primarily comprised of links to the OS, needed to be
changed in order to produce the Windows version.

Q: How will administration of the FirstClass Windows server compare with
the existing Macintosh product?

A: Both products are similarly easy to administer. The true FirstClass
client/server architecture facilitates all administration through the
graphical FirstClass client software for Windows or Macintosh, regardless
of the platform of the server. None of the administration forms will
change with the Windows server (save a substitution of "C:" for "Hard
Disk," etc. where applicable.) Current FirstClass clients will work
identically with the Windows server.

The backup and restore process of Windows server-based FirstClass Post
Offices is significantly quicker and easier than the process for
Macintosh. A Macintosh backup procedure called Post Office Map, for
instance, is not required on Windows.

Q: What hardware requirements will the FirstClass Windows server have?

A: The FirstClass server for Windows 3.1 will require a 386 or better CPU,
running Windows 3.1 or better, with at least 8 MB RAM and as much hard
drive space as possible.

The FirstClass server for Windows NT will require a 386 or better, running
Windows NT 3.5 or later, with at least 16 MB RAM and as much hard drive
space as possible.

Q: What serial expansion hardware will the Windows server recognize?

A: The Windows server will support the market-leading DigiBoard serial
expansion hardware and may support other manufacturers' hardware upon its
release. Because PC serial expansion is more scalable than Macintosh, the
Windows server -- particularly the version for NT -- will be able to
accommodate many more simultaneous modems than the current Macintosh
server.

Q: Will the Windows server work with existing FirstClass gateways?

A: The FirstClass Windows server will work with existing Macintosh-based
FirstClass gateways. Third party developers, on the other hand, are
working on Windows versions of their shipping FirstClass products. TGF
Technologies of Burlington, Vermont, Delphic Software of Redlands,
California and World Connect of Toronto all plan to release Windows
versions of their FirstClass gateways and extensions.

Q: How much will the FirstClass Windows server cost?

A: The FirstClass server for Windows 3.1 will be priced at $95, the same as
SoftArc's server for Macintosh. The server will include a license for two
users and will also include Windows platform licensing and IPX protocol
licensing. Additional user licenses (starting at $395 for five users) and
additional platform and protocol options will be sold separately.

Q: When will the FirstClass Windows server begin shipping?

A: The FirstClass Windows server is currently in beta testing and is
scheduled to ship in the second quarter of 1995.

SoftArc Inc.
Global Area Communications

100 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, CANADA, L3R 6H3
1902 Ridge Road, #325, West Seneca, New York, USA, 14224

Tel: 905-415-7000  Fax: 905-415-7151  FirstClass: 905-415-7070
Internet: sales@softarc.com

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