FacetCorp Press Release: March 1, 1999

NEWS RELEASE

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Marketing, FacetCorp (972) 985-9901

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Cotton States Insurance Selects FacetWin

1 March 1999
ATLANTA, Georgia - Cotton States Insurance has chosen FacetCorp's FacetWin as the Windows-to-UNIX® connectivity software solution for their network of 275 SCO Open Server 5 UNIX servers. FacetWin includes an all-in-one feature set that allows users of Windows®95/98 and Windows NT® clients to transparently access and use the UNIX-based network resources (such as files, disks, applications, and printers). FacetWin features include file services, bi-directional print services, 32-bit terminal emulation, graphical administration and a unique Simple Sign-On™ (SSO) feature. Other FacetWin features include the ability to automatically back-up networked PCs to a UNIX tape drive, access networked modems for PC terminal emulation users, an email POP3 server, and remote computing support which provides complete network functionality to users connected via modem.

Cotton States Insurance, headquartered in Atlanta, implemented a 1,400-user license of FacetWin. FacetWin is running at Cotton States' headquarters as well as their agency sites in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The general topology of these installations is a SCO Open Server 5 UNIX server connected to Windows 95/98 desktop and laptop clients. The SCO servers run a legacy UNIX-based insurance application that was developed exclusively for Cotton States by their long-time development partner, Quest Technology Group. Linda Rolf, president of Quest Technology Group, and her team evaluated several PC-to-UNIX connectivity solutions before choosing FacetWin for Cotton States. "We went with FacetWin for two reasons," explained Rolf, "The strength of the product and how easy it is to work with FacetCorp. FacetWin has exceeded all our expectations. The ease of installing and integrating the package made the implementation at all the sites a breeze." Rolf continued, "Working with FacetCorp was great. Every time you call, you get a 'real' person on the phone. They take the time to listen to your questions and get the answers!"

"We are pleased with FacetWin and the solution Quest Technology Group has provided to us," said Jim Davis MIS vice president at Cotton States Insurance. "FacetWin provides our users with access to corporate data stored on the UNIX servers and allows us as a company to keep using our UNIX applications through FacetWin's terminal emulator. This strategy preserves the investment we made into our existing computing environment with better access and control."

"Cotton States Insurance was facing the prevalent challenge of integrating their Windows desktops with powerful UNIX servers," explained Mary Beth O'Brien, Distribution Sales Manager with FacetCorp. "FacetWin is really several features bundled together and was developed to provide a complete solution for Windows-to-Unix integration."

FacetWin differs from existing connectivity alternatives in several ways. First, FacetCorp based the file and print services in FacetWin upon the Common Internet File System (CIFS) formerly known as SMB. This is the primary system that Microsoft Windows uses for networking PCs. Many other connectivity products use the UNIX-oriented Network File System (NFS) method of loading kernel level NFS software on each PC to enable it as a UNIX NFS client. Instead, FacetWin provides a UNIX CIFS server (that requires no additional software to be loaded on the PC) to get completely transparent file and print services. CIFS was chosen for FacetWin because it is very easy to install and administer (since FacetWin administration can take place from the UNIX server), and because of its good performance. The FacetWin terminal emulator was designed as a native 32-bit application for Windows 95 or NT 4.0. In creating the terminal emulator, FacetCorp was able to leverage the terminal emulation technology built into FacetTerm® (the company's award winning multi-session product).

FacetWin pricing begins at $195 with discounts for multi-user licenses. FacetCorp offers free 30-day evaluation copies of the product from their World Wide Web site (www.facetcorp.com) and through their established channel of worldwide distributors.

FacetWin Feature Summary
File Services: FacetWin enables users to view, access and save files, as well as launch Windows applications located on a UNIX server, without the hassle of copying files back and forth. UNIX disks simply appear in the "Network Neighborhood."
Print Services: FacetWin allows Windows users to access any UNIX printer directly from their Windows application. The product also lets UNIX users and applications print to PC printers.
Terminal Emulation: FacetWin includes support for the most widely used terminal emulation families including Digital's VT series, SCO/ANSI color console, Wyse, and IBM. Terminal emulation allows PC users to work with UNIX-based applications by emulating a UNIX work environment. The terminal emulation in FacetWin also includes the unique Window Watch™ and QuickLaunch™ features.
Graphical Administration: Provides graphical properties administration from Windows with context sensitive help that allows for easy configuration of file and printer sharing. Provides more flexibility in server selection and easier set-up for modem, e-mail and terminal emulation.
Simple Sign-On™ (SSO): FacetWin's SSO gives the users access to UNIX file and print services and terminal emulation, all through a single sign-on. The Auto-User Creation in FacetWin's SSO additionally allows the system administrator to manage UNIX system access from an NT primary domain controller.
Email Server: FacetWin includes a POP3 server that allows email to be moved between UNIX and Windows mail systems. This means users can use any POP3 compliant mail client they prefer.
Remote Computing Support: All features included in FacetWin may also be utilized from a PC connected over a dial-in modem. This makes it possible for a user working at home or on the road to access and/or print files located anywhere on the network.

About FacetCorp:
FacetCorp is a privately held company located in Plano, Texas, USA. FacetCorp develops productivity and connectivity software solutions that enable users of personal computers and low-cost character terminals to take full advantage of powerful UNIX-based host/server systems. FacetCorp has enjoyed strong growth and has frequently been included in The Fast Tech 50. The Fast Tech 50, sponsored by The Dallas Business Journal & Arthur Andersen, is a ranking list of the 50 fastest-growing high-tech companies in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. FacetCorp can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.facetcorp.com.

About Cotton States:
Cotton States Insurance has been providing insurance products to customers in the Southeast since 1941 with products for auto, home and life. Their agency sites are concentrated in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee.

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FacetWin® and FacetTerm® are registered trademarks of FacetCorp. Simple Sign-On, QuickLaunch and Window Watch are trademarks of FacetCorp. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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