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1994-03-02
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As some of you may have read in Paul Merenbloom's LAN Talk column
in the latest InfoWorld (2/21), there are some exciting new
developments in the MHS-based e-mail community.
Before too many rumors start flying around, I wanted to take a
minute to share the following press release first hand with MHS
users.
But first a brief introduction. Connect2 is a new MHS compatible
message router from Infinite Technologies, being announced this
week, for planned shipment during the month of March. (NOTE:
The product name Connect2 is usually spelled with a superscript 2.)
What we mean by "MHS compatible" is the following:
1.) Applications and gateways can interact with the Connect2
message router, as if they were interfacing to MHS 1.5. Connect2
is an SMF-70 message router, with limited support for certain
SMF-71 extensions, such as the SMF_NS.XRT extract file.
SMF-64 and SMF-70 gateways and applications are supported. Many
SMF-71 gateways and applications will also be supported.
2.) Connect2 can communicate across a network link to MHS 1.5 or
NetWare Global MHS hosts. It can also communicate asynchronously
with MHS 1.2, MHS 1.5, NetWare Global MHS, and Remote MHS 2.0
hosts, as well as other Connect2 hosts.
Of course, offering compatibility with MHS, and 3rd party SMF-
based applications and gateways, is only part of the story.
Connect2 is *not* an MHS clone, as it also offers quite a few
enhancements and additional capabilities, based on the feedback
provided by current MHS 1.5 users.
Exciting new features of Connect2 include multiple COM port
support (4 ports are supported simultaneously on a single message
router), the ability to have multiple message routers all capable
of running gateways and initiating outbound calls, and security
features to limit access to mailing to selected gateways, hosts,
users or distribution lists. But, there's also a lot more.
Our intent with Connect2 is NOT to start a war between Connect2
and MHS or Global MHS. It is our intent that Connect2
compliments the Novell MHS messaging products, and offers a
solution that may appeal to some messaging users.
Rather than competing with the Novell MHS products, we see this
as an opportunity to further promote the MHS environment, and the
innovative applications that have been developed around the
Standard Message Format (SMF).
The MHS environment has always been about picking the
applications and gateways that best suited the messaging needs of
the customers. With Connect2, we believe that we are extending
this flexibility to give users an opportunity to select the
underlying message transport that best meets their needs.
With some e-mail vendors attempting to lock users into proprietary
solutions, we hope that the announcement of Connect2 will help
underscore the importance of open messaging.
For additional information on Connect2, send a message to Library
@ Infinite (via NHUB or CSERVE) or Library@Infinite.ihub.com (via
the internet) with a subject line of CONNECT2.
A discussion list is also being established for users who wish to
participate in open discussions regarding Connect2, and learn
more about the product, prior to its release in March 1994. To
join this discussion list, send a message to Connect2 @ Infinite
(via NHUB or CSERVE) or Connect2@Infinite.ihub.com (via the
internet) with a subject line of SUBSCRIBE.
ADDITIONAL METHODS OF CONTACTING INFINITE TECHNOLOGIES:
MHS/Connect2: Sales @ Infinite -- via NHUB or CSERVE
-- or call the INFINITE hub
direct at 410-363-1210
Internet: Sales@Infinite.ihub.com
FAX: 410-363-0846 or 410-363-3779
Voice: 800-678-1097 or 410-363-1097
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
=====================
Connect2 for High Performance Messaging
OWINGS MILLS, MD -- Infinite Technologies announces Connect2,
offering customers a new alternative in messaging. Connect2, an
MHS compatible message router, replaces MHS for those users who
are unable to upgrade to an NLM based messaging system. It
offers higher performance, greater system reliability, and
compatibility with over 150 existing SMF compatible applications,
including products like BeyondMail, Da Vinci eMail, and Infinite
Technologies' own ExpressIT!
Connect2 supports both NetWare and non-NetWare environments like
LANtastic and LAN Manager. Connect2 is compatible with existing
MHS and Global MHS installations. Applications that run on
Connect2 are upwardly compatible with NetWare Global MHS, in case
network and communication needs grow.
Connect2 offers advanced messaging features so that LAN mail
administrators can control their systems for more efficient
message exchange.
* Simultaneously route messages, execute gateways, connect to
internetwork hosts, and make dial in/dial out connections via
multiple communication ports. -- These capabilities provide
quicker and more cost-efficient message exchange than previously
available.
* Restrict access to hosts and gateways to prevent unauthorized
use. -- This lets you control the use of fax gateways and limit
access to secure hosts.
* Simplified passive host administration, and advanced
scheduling of gateway execution and connections to other hosts.
-- Advanced features simplify host setup and communications.
* Message tunneling. -- Maintain message formatting through
alternate service providers.
* NetWare specific messaging improvements. -- Automatically
import new NetWare users from the bindery without manual
intervention, sender validation to authenticate that the "From:"
address in messages matches the NetWare user ID that created the
message.
* Automatic Directory Synchronization. -- Exchanges user names
and routing information with other Connect2 hosts so that users
may select recipients on other hosts from address book lists
rather than typing in the names.
"Our goal, based on the feedback of many MHS users, is to offer
customers increased performance, reliability, and control over
their messaging environment," stated Mark Wilson, Vice President
of Marketing at Infinite Technologies. "Connect2 does that and
more. Customers who are committed to an open messaging
environment will see real improvements for their network
communications." Wilson added, "The product is an excellent
interim step for customers who require advanced messaging
capabilities, yet are hesitant about committing to an NLM based
messaging system."
"Connect2 will retain and build on the traditional strength of
MHS, an open messaging platform with multi-vendor
interoperability. Customers will still be able to purchase the
e-mail front end and the message transport from a variety of
sources, allowing them to test and select the products that best
meet their needs. In addition, customers will have an option to
buy the e-mail front end, the transport, and gateways from a
single vendor," said John Madill, President of Infinite
Technologies. "We are committed to working together with Novell
and the MHS developer community to provide complete
interoperability with current and future versions of Netware MHS
and MHS-based products," continued Madill.
Beta Users Respond
Beta users are enthusiastic about Connect2. Randall Young, of
Hallmark International reports, "It is wonderful to see a product
with the open architecture of MHS that includes advanced message
routing and host connectivity. We are on a LAN Manager network
and have been waiting for the capabilities that Connect2 gives
us. Infinite has integrated many user friendly functions into
the Connect2 product that will benefit everyone, regardless of
the network operating system being used."
Kevin Stricklin, of Teleco, Inc. comments, "Finally the MHS
upgrade I've been waiting for! Connect2 has the enhancements
I've needed, supports all modems, includes 16550 UART support,
notification of new e-mail, and host & gateway scheduling. I now
have a fast, reliable, industry standard mail transport that
works with the front-end of my choice. Connect2 provides better
e-mail services to my users with more control and less
maintainence than ever before." Stricklin continues, "Connect2
is robust enough to be the basis for my mission critical
messaging system, and is the only messaging transport offering
the fault-tolerent features I need to make sure my messages get
through. Backup routes to the same host are an extremely welcome
addition."
Connect2 Gateways
The company is also introducing a series of gateway products for
Connect2. These products can be installed in a Connect2, MHS or
Global MHS environment for connectivity to a wide range of
systems and services.
The gateway products include:
* Connect2FAX Users can send outbound faxes from their desks
as easily as sending an e-mail message.
* Connect2UUCP Dial into UNIX hosts, including the Internet,
and exchange mail. A non-interactive method of connecting to
UNIX hosts.
* Connect2SMTP Integrate your environment with SMTP, the native
messaging protocol for the Unix environment, including the
Internet.
* Connect2Mail Links users directly to MCI Mail, the most
widely recognized public electronic mail system in the world.
* Connect2Pager Extend your e-mail system to include
alphanumeric pagers through a paging service.
* Connect2FACSys Users can send and receive faxes using the
popular FACSys software. It's the best choice for high volume
fax environments.
* Connect2Rules Improve the speed and efficiency of mail
handling. Create rules to automatically process messages.
Brett Warthen, CEO of Infinite Technologies stated, "Our
customers can count on products with a similar interface that are
designed to work together," he continued, "and there will be no
fingerpointing when customers need support."
Release Schedule
Connect2 is scheduled for release by the end of this quarter. A
remote version of Connect2 will follow. The first two gateway
products, Connect2FAX and Connect2SMTP, are available
immediately. The remaining gateway products are expected to ship
during the 2nd quarter. Connect2 and the Connect2 Gateway
products will be available in 30 day evaluation versions so that
users can try the products in their own environment.
The Connect2 Series will be available through Infinite
Technologies' resellers. The company will offer Connect2 and
the gateway products on an OEM basis to qualified software
developers. For additional information, call 800-678-1097, or
send an e-mail to Sales @ Infinite (via NHUB/CSERVE) or via
Internet to Sales @ Infinite.ihub.com.
Contacts for additional information regarding this press release
are available on request.