Company Contacts:
nmiller@canto-software.com

Canto Software, Inc.
330 Townsend St., Suite 212
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415/905-0300
Fax: 415/703-0315

Canto Software GmbH
Flensburger Strasse 5
10557 Berlin
Germany
Phone: 49-30-393-0021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canto Announces Cumulus XP Network Image Database for Apple Network Servers

New Cross-platform Architecture Sets the Stage for Future Releases


Boston, Mass.-- February 27, 1996 --Canto Software, the technology leader in digital image management software, today announced the Canto Cumulus XP Network Image Database for Apple Network Servers, a UNIX-based version of the Cumulus Network Image Database, its award-winning multi-user image and media database. Canto will show a pre-release version of Cumulus XP Network Image Database in conjunction with Apple's launch of the Apple Network Servers, at the Seybold Conference here.

"Our new architecture gives us maximum flexibility to support customers on all platforms," said Jennifer Neumann, CEO of Canto Software. "Our client software for the Mac OS offers access to Cumulus servers running on any platform, starting with the UNIX versions announced at Seybold. The Apple Network Servers are incredibly fast and the AIX OS offers the rock-solid reliability that an increasing number of our customers require."

The Canto Cumulus XP Network Image Database is managed from the client software, making it easy to implement Cumulus' extensive security and control features. Database administrators can assist clients at their machines, eliminating the need to go back and forth between the client and the server. Canto Cumulus XP Network Image Database has been

designed to support future cross-platform releases, and to ensure cross-platform client access.

Building on the strength of the Canto Cumulus XP client-server architecture, the UNIX release takes advantage of the increased performance and reliability available on the UNIX platform.

"UNIX is a multi-threaded, memory-protected operating system, meaning that mission-critical services continue running even if another part of the server is down," said Steve Goodman, President of Canto Software. "Many of our digital prepress customers already use UNIX in their shops for OPI and file serving, and have requested a UNIX version of Cumulus."

Network Support

Organizations using UNIX can now standardize on Cumulus XP for their digital image management and enjoy greater file access across platforms. Image files that are cataloged with Cumulus do not have to reside on an Apple Network Server. Any file server that is a mountable volume may be indexed and used for image data storage. This is applicable to a wide range of Macintosh, Sun, SGI, and Windows NT file server systems, as well as off-line media.

Customers using OPI print server software will be well served by Cumulus, since it is OPI-aware and cooperates smoothly with all major OPI print servers. Image description data is available without on-line access to the file, so information about images stored on off-line media and file servers may be retrieved and browsed. CD-ROM and MO jukeboxes that are compatible with Apple's Alias Manager System software, or with Cumulus' own alias resolver API, will automatically exchange and mount volumes whenever a file on that volume is accessed by Cumulus.

Workflow Automation and Integration

Cumulus includes adapters for Adobe Photoshop, QuarkXpress, Adobe PageMaker, and FrameMaker, and many other applications that allow for workflow automation and tight integration between Cumulus and these popular applications. For example, users can simply drag an image from Cumulus into QuarkXpress which will, in turn, automatically create an image box sized specifically for the image.

File Format Support

Cumulus supports more file formats than any other image database for networks, over 35 file formats in all. From still images, to digital video, to sounds and page layouts, Cumulus provides users with instant access to their digital image and media assets, and tight integration with other graphics and publishing hardware and software.

Systems Requirements

Canto Cumulus XP Network Image Database requires an Apple Network Server, and Macintosh client workstations.

Pricing and Availability

Canto Cumulus XP Network Image Database for Apple Network Servers supports 20 concurrent clients in the base version of the software. Pricing for the base version is expected to be $4,995 with additional seats costing approximately $240 each. Canto's Cumulus Software is available through national and regional VARS as well as direct to system integrators. For more information contact Canto Software 415/905-0300 in North America, and at 49-30-393-0021 in Europe.


Canto and the Canto logo are registered trademarks of Canto Software Inc. Cumulus and the Cumulus logo are trademarks of Canto Software Inc. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Other third-party product and company names mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks and belong to their respective holders.

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