From: Liz Statmore Subject: PRESS RELEASE: NEXTSTEP ISVs Launch The NEXTSTEP Groupware Developers Association Date: 25 Jun 1994 13:54:19 -0400 Contact:Dave Martel, Pangea Corporation (617) 232-2486 Liz Statmore, Sarrus Software, Inc. (415) 345-8950 groupware@pangea.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEXTSTEP ISVs Launch The NEXTSTEP Groupware Developers Association First Issue of The Groupware Report Available at NEXTSTEP Expo SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 21, 1994 __ Pangea Corporation and Sarrus Software, Inc. today announced the formation of The NEXTSTEP Groupware Developers Association, an informal affiliation of NEXTSTEP ISVs, corporate developers, and other interested parties who are focused on the development and use of groupware solutions on NEXTSTEP. "We wanted to bring together customers and solutions providers to talk about groupware solutions on NEXTSTEP today and tomorrow," said Peter J. Park, president of Pangea. "One advantage customers quickly discover about the NEXTSTEP market is that it's a community where these conversations between customers and vendors actually go on. NEXTSTEP ISVs try to be extremely responsive to customer needs. This is one more way in which we can listen to our customers and respond to their needs now rather than five years from now." The discussion group was formed at the request of a number of NEXTSTEP customers who are implementing sophisticated, custom groupware solutions and integrating them with shrink-wrap groupware solutions. "Sarrus customers who were starting development projects initiated the dialogue," said Andrew K. Turk, president of Sarrus. "We all face the same challenges in solving problems for end users. Why not talk about them?" Groupware on NEXTSTEP The formation of the NGDA reflects the growing acceptance of object-based groupware on NEXTSTEP. "The groupware paradigm is especially powerful for developers because of NEXTSTEP's model of reuse," said Paul Lynch, a principal at P&L Systems in London, a leading systems integrator. "The ability to incorporate entire applications as 'big objects' offers tremendous leverage for corporate developers. Because it saves time and money, a shrink-wrap application that works independently and also functions as part of a larger MCCA solution is a compelling reason to buy rather than build it yourself." Membership Information Membership in the NGDA is free and offers two benefits: participation in an electronic discussion group, and "The Groupware Report: a newsletter about collaborative computing on NEXTSTEP," published three times per year. Subscriptions are free to members of the NGDA. The premier issue of The Groupware Report is available at NEXTSTEP Expo in both the Pangea and Sarrus booths. For more information, contact the NGDA by e-mail at info@pangea.com OR groupware@pangea.com. NEXTSTEP Expo attendees can sign up for the NGDA at either the Pangea or Sarrus booths on the exhibit floor. -30- Pangea is a trademark of Pangea Corporation. Sarrus and the Sarrus logo are trademarks of Sarrus Software, Inc. NEXTSTEP is a trademark of NeXT Computer, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.