SoftArc Announces Internet Strategy Detailing Native Implementations of
Services and Protocols

NEW ORLEANS, La., May 9, 1995--SoftArc Inc., the number four vendor of
LAN-based e-mail and communications groupware worldwide, today outlined a
comprehensive strategy to extend Internet connectivity for its enterprise
communication software, FirstClass. Unveiled in New Orleans at the
Electronic Messaging Association's annual conference, SoftArc's Internet
strategy details future Internet services leveraging the product's proven,
high-performance client/server architecture.

FirstClass already provides the e-mail industry's most comprehensive
Internet connectivity, including integrated support for TCP/IP, along with
bidirectional mail transfers, and replication of Usenet newsgroups and
mail lists for distribution to workgroups within FirstClass conferences.
SoftArc's new Internet direction includes support for native
implementations of SMTP, POP3, FTP, HTTP and other protocols by the
FirstClass server. In addition, FirstClass clients will be able to access
both traditional FirstClass services and protocol-level connections to the
Internet, courtesy of tools which will enable developers to write Internet
extensions for FirstClass clients and servers.

According to David Ferris, president of electronic messaging research firm
Ferris Research, "There's a lot of hype about the Internet, but precious
little discussion on how to realistically integrate it into existing group
communications platforms. SoftArc's Internet vision for FirstClass details
a credible strategy for expanding its capabilities with integrated,
seamless support for the leading Internet applications. The fact that
FirstClass already provides users with substantially greater Internet
functionality than most other groupware products goes a long way towards
providing proof of SoftArc's ability to deliver on this promise."

"Our extensible client/server architecture is what puts us far ahead of
other filebased mail or groupware, and is how we will be able to offer
this exciting forthcoming Internet support," explained Steven Asbury,
president of SoftArc. "The integration of Internet protocols and standards
into our high-performance communications engine illustrates SoftArc's
commitment to standards-based messaging and information access, while at
the same time offering the benefits of our proprietary communications
technology."

The FirstClass Internet strategy statement document explores the current
state of both FirstClass and the Internet, details FirstClass' present-day
connectivity to the Internet, outlines the Company's future development
plans with regard to the Internet and offers a timeline for new
functionality.

SoftArc details four separate initiatives for enhanced Internet
connectivity.

* The evolution of existing Internet messaging/news gateway products
introducing MIME support, Windows NT technology and other enhancements;

* New Internet services built with existing tools and APIs, including
forthcoming Gopher and FTP solutions, as well as potential WAIS
implementations;

* The introduction of a new Client Extension Toolkit to provide developers
with the ability to create potential Telnet, IRC and Web browser
solutions; and

* The introduction of new server-level protocols, including SMTP, POP3,
FTP, HTTP and others to provide real-time Internet publishing of existing
FirstClass content.

Time frames for all components of SoftArc's Internet initiatives are
detailed in the strategy statement. For more information, or for a copy of
"FirstClass & The Internet -- A Strategy Statement," contact SoftArc Inc.
or Sterling Communications.

FirstClass is a powerful workgroup communication system that integrates
advanced e-mail with replicable discussion databases, remote access, forms
processing, enterprise database access and online information services.
The product offers a number of unique features and enhancements designed
to improve information communication and management. FirstClass features
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
100 Allstate Parkway
Markham, Ontario
Canada L3R 6H3
905-415-7000,  fax 905-415-7151
FirstClass: 905-415-7070

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