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1991-10-30
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{Artisoft Revolutionizes Connectivity!}
Artisoft designs and manufactures a full product line of low-cost,
award-winning software and hardware for local area network (LAN)
communications. Growth in personal computer sales over the past three
years has provided a large base of PCs available for networking.
According to Dataquest, personal computers connected in networks are
expected to increase from 22% in 1989 to 63% by 1992. Open any
publication today and it becomes obvious that today's network consumer
faces an ever-increasing number of local area network options.
Increasingly affordable prices make LANs more attractive to budget-
minded small to medium sized businesses, as well as to workgroups
with incorporations and universities. These small to medium sized
businesses and workgroups are most frequently interested in sharing
expensive peripherals, sharing data and using a basic electronic mail
system. Ease of installation, use, administration and expandability are also
key to their selection. Because most of these groups do not have a readily
available MIS manager or extensive in-house technical support, they need
simplicity combined with functionality.
Larger companies have turned to LANs for the same reasons -- economy
and productivity. LANs also allow corporate users to maintain their
independence from minicomputers and mainframes, while still offering
them the ability to access information residing on those larger computers
when necessary. MIS directors have found that using PCs connected via
LANs is more cost effective than maintaining some functions on
minicomputers and mainframes. LANs have, of course, always been much
less expensive than minis and mainframes. Today they are becoming even
less expensive, because of advances in technology, coupled with intense
competition among LAN manufacturers.
The above networking needs and preferences point to peer-to-peer
networks as the ideal type for small to medium sized businesses
and workgroups. Peer-to-peer networks, in which any workstation can act
as a server and/or workstation, cost less and are easier to implement and
use than dedicated server based networks. Not all peer-to-peer networks
are created equal. LAN purchasers need to consider a variety of issues
when choosing a LAN. These issues include price, performance
(throughput speed), compatibility, expandability, ease of installation and
use, security and flexibility.
When Artisoft engineers began developing the local area network product
line in 1986, innovative design and affordability were key considerations.
Their creativity and cost consciousness resulted in powerful networking
solutions and LAN applications that require very little memory, are
easy to use, feature rich and affordable. LANtastic(tm) Local Area Network
awards include:
{1991 PC Magazine Editors' Choice for DOS-based LANs
{1991 BYTE & Interface Group's Best of Spring COMDEX in Connectivity
{for Central Station
{1991 LAN Magazine Product of the Year for entry-level network operating
{systems
{1991 LAN Times Readers Choice for peer-to-peer networks
{1990 PC Magazine Editors' Choice for peer-to-peer network operating
{systems
{1990 PC Magazine Editors' Choice for LANtastic Z
{1990 PC Magazine Editors' Choice for LANtastic's CD-ROM networking
{1990 PC Magazine Technical Excellence for LANtastic Voice
{1990 LAN Times Recommended for Networking
{1990 Systems Integration Product of the Year Finalist for Local Area
{Networks
{1989 PC Magazine Editors' Choice for low-cost LANs
{1989 PC World Best Buy for low-cost LANs
{1988 BYTE Magazine Award of Distinction for The Network Eye
{1988 LAN Magazine Product of the Year
Artisoft's 1991 marketing efforts include advertising campaigns, product
publicity, direct mail, LANDA membership, and trade show participation at
COMDEX, NetWorld, PC Expo, FOSE and a variety of smaller shows. Sales
have grown from nearly $7 million in fiscal 1989 to $40 million for fiscal
1991. Artisoft's installed base of adapters is more than 300,000. Artisoft
sells through more than 7,000 authorized resellers in the United States.
Ingram Micro, Merisel, Vitek, PC Distributing, Vitronix, and TechData are
distributing Artisoft products and several major chains have picked up
Artisoft products including CompuAdd, INMAC, Egghead Discount
Software, SoftWarehouse, Global Computer Supplies, and the Computer
Factory. Artisoft sells internationally through distributors in Argentina,
Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Chile,
France, Iceland, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New
Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Singapore,
South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and Germany.
Artisoft targets small to medium sized businesses, corporate workgroups,
and university workgroups looking for an affordable, powerful network
solution with low RAM requirements and ease of installation and use.
Although Novell and LAN manager may be appropriate for high-end LAN
solutions, most small businesses don't have the same budgets, technical
expertise or needs. Artisoft has positioned LANtastic as the leading LAN
solution for this market. The Voice Programmer's Interface (VPI) is targeted
to other manufacturers and developers who want to add voice and/or high
fidelity sound support to their software applications.
Artisoft was founded in 1982 through private investment. Sales for the
fiscal year 1989 were nearly $7 million and increased to $40 million for
fiscal 1991. Artisoft foresaw tremendous opportunity in the LAN market and
began developing the LANtastic local area network product line as early
as 1986. Prior to developing and manufacturing LANtastic, Artisoft
designed and sold telecommunications software, peripheral sharing
devices and IBM PC compatibles. Artisoft has six corporate officers
C. John (Jack) Schoof II founded Artisoft in 1982 while working for Hughes
Aircraft Company in Tucson. From modest beginnings as a one-person
company, Jack is now president and CEO of a fast growing company that
employs more than 250 people. He designed the LANtastic network 2Mbps
adapter and user interfaces to the LANtastic Network Operating System.
Jack received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Arizona and has worked in the computer industry since 1972. He is a 1989
Arizona Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, and his outside interests include
music synthesis, soaring, scuba diving and photography.
Alex Karahalios is Vice President of Product Development and responsible
for new hardware and software development, as well as feature
enhancements to LANtastic. During the creation of LANtastic, he designed
the LANtastic NetBIOS, Redirector and Server. Alex holds a B.S. in
Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and has worked in the
computer industry since 1976. His outside interests include the
development of novel consumer electronics and man/machine interfaces.
Adrian King is Vice President of Engineering. He assists in product
development, manages projects and coordinates various groups within the
engineering department. He joined Artisoft in July of 1991, after serving as
Assistant General Manager for Microsoft's Network Business Unit. He also
managed and assisted in the design and development of various Microsoft
systems software products, including LAN Manager, SQL Server, XENIX,
and versions of MS-DOS and Windows. He scuba dives, and plays soccer
and other sports.
William D. Baker is Artisoft's Chief Financial Officer. He joined
Artisoft in early 1990, bringing 20 years of high-tech financial experience
to his new position. Prior to coming to Artisoft, he served as the corporate
controller for Burr-Brown Corporation, a $200 million multi-national
semi-conductor manufacturer; and as an officer and corporate controller
for CTS Corporation, a $275 million multi-national electronic component
manufacturer. Bill is active on the Financial Executives Institute's
Committee for Employee Benefits and the Tucson Chamber of
Commerce's legislative and education committees. In his free time, he
enjoys watching and participating in sports, reading and traveling.
Dennis R. Weyrauch, Esq. is Artisoft's General Counsel & Corporate
Secretary. He joined Artisoft last year to provide legal counsel in corporate
matters real estate transactions, contracts and employment law. Dennis
earned his undergraduate degree in computer science from St. Thomas
College in Minnesota and his law degree from the University of Arizona. He
has worked in the legal profession since 1983 and enjoys downhill and
cross-country skiing, racquetball and cycling.
Dave Hallmen is Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He is one
of Artisoft's original ten employees and joined the Artisoft Sales
Department in 1988, shortly after the LANtastic Local Area Network was
introduced. His experience in sales and computers enabled him to
contribute significantly to the development of Artisoft's successful sales
programs, policies, and procedures. His outside interests include
racquetball, golf and weightlifting.