From: Liz Statmore Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Sarrus Software Introduces SBook 4.0 Date: 25 Jun 1994 13:55:24 -0400 Contact:Liz Statmore Vice President of Marketing Sarrus Software (415) 345-8950 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarrus Software Introduces SBook 4.0 Upgrade Program and Introductory Promotion Announced FOSTER CITY, Calif., June 21, 1994 __ Sarrus Software, Inc. today introduced the new enterprise version of SBooki, its popular directory application for NEXTSTEP. Sarrus also announced details of its upgrade program for current SBook customers. "When it comes to looking up and using contact information, individuals and enterprises have the same two problems: they need a simple way to consolidate the information and they need a fast, easy way to look it up and use it," said Andrew K. Turk, president of Sarrus. "SBook has always solved these two problems for individuals. The new SBook also solves these problems for organizations." SBook 4.0 is an intelligent, integrated, extensible directory services application for NEXTSTEP users and administrators that simplifies three key processes: SBook simplifies the online consolidation and publication of directory information, including the physical locations, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of users on the network SBook simplifies the search for directory information SBook simplifies the use of directory information through integration with the NEXTSTEP desktop and other NEXTSTEP applications. The Directory Services Problem Many organizations have found that although their network provides the infrastructure for collaborative computing, it is difficult for their users to find the basic information they need about other users. "Most users don't even try to look this information up today because they know they can't," Turk continued. "It's often contained in multiple different databases which are scattered across the network. The situation is frustrating for everybody." As a result of this information gap, many network administrators are looking for simple, cost-effective ways to "publish" information from multiple directory databases online so that users can find it and use it. Network administrators then need to integrate this directory information with other applications on users' desktops. "Our customers asked us to simplify these processes on NEXTSTEP enterprise networks," said Turk. About SBook SBook is an intelligent directory services application that gives NEXTSTEP users comprehensive access to a rich database of user and contact information, including one-stop access to phone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, postal addresses, mail stops, and links to Pencil Me In calendars. Network administrators can download directory information into SBook and publish it online to keep users up to date. And SBook's fast, powerful search engine makes this information easy to find and organize. What's New in SBook 4.0 The enhanced user interface allows users to work with both personal and enterprise contact information in a seamless way while maintaining the same high level of user productivity as in previous versions of SBook. For example, individuals on a corporate network can use SBook 4.0 to work with the internal "company phone list" directory, the customer database, vendor or supplier lists, and their own personal contact lists. The global search feature enables users to search across multiple SBook files in a single operation. Because SBook's built-in intelligence automatically recognizes phone numbers, postal addresses and e-mail addresses, SBook 4.0 allows users to address and send e-mail to individuals or groups, and print selected entries or whole databases onto standard mailing labels or individual envelopes, complete with postal barcodes for faster delivery. The program can also be used to send faxes, dial the phone, and locate other people's Pencil Me Ini calendars to schedule meetings. In addition, with the new Groups feature, users can create group entries that link together individual entries, even across multiple files. The new Groups feature also enables users to create group calendars or add members to existing group calendars in Pencil Me In, Sarrus' popular group scheduling program. Sarrus has also enhanced the performance of SBook's lookup engine to meet the requirements of enterprise customers. With these enhancements, users can now open and search directories containing tens of thousands of corporate names in just seconds. SBook at Work __ Linklaters & Paines Providing a simple and consistent interface for information selection across applications is an important goal for Linklaters & Paines, a leading international law firm based in the U.K. They are integrating SBook with their document management system, e-mail, and scheduling software in preparation for their worldwide deployment to 1600 users. "Using SBook to provide a common interface for the selection of user details offers us many benefits," said Martin Lewis, Office Systems Manager at L&P. "Knowing where to look for this information will encourage people to take full advantage of our application suite." System Requirements SBook 4.0 and the SBook API require NEXTSTEP 3.1 or higher for Intel Processors, NEXTSTEP 3.1 or higher for NeXT Computers, or NEXTSTEP 3.2 for PA-RISC. SBook 4.0 is a Multiple Architecture Binary, and the same version runs unmodified on any of these three systems. Pricing, Availability, and Upgrade Programs For a limited time, Sarrus is offering a special promotional price for SBook. Through August 31, 1994, customers can purchase SBook 3.1 for only $149 per user and save 25% off the regular price. When SBook 4.0 is released, customers who have purchased SBook under this program will automatically be upgraded to SBook 4.0 at no additional cost. Registered owners of SBook can upgrade to the new version for $49.95 per user, direct from Sarrus. Registered SBook owners who purchased the product in 1994 will receive the upgrade to 4.0 automatically at no additional cost. For more information about the Customer Upgrade Program, current customers can call Sarrus at (800) 995-1963, or send e-mail to info@sarrus.com. Customers outside the U.S. can reach Sarrus at (415) 345-8950 or via e-mail. The SBook API may be licensed separately by registered SBook 4.0 owners at no additional cost for use in custom application development and deployment. Developer support is not included, although a variety of fee-based support programs for developers are also available. Contact the company for information. About Sarrus Founded in 1991, Sarrus Software, Inc. is a privately held company with the mission of empowering individuals, groups, and organizations to share information in the office environment with integrated, easy-to-use Group Information Management (GIM) software. Sarrus is the leading provider of GIM software on NEXTSTEP systems, with products that include group scheduling and directory services. -30- Sarrus, the Sarrus logo, and SBook are trademarks of Sarrus Software, Inc. NeXT and NEXTSTEP are trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc. All other products and brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.