Newsbytes - Internationa…ews 1983 May to 1994 June/Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1994 Edition - May 1983 - June 1994 - Wayzata Technologies (5045) (1994).iso/pc/text/mac_text/1992/nb920312

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(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00001)

 ****FBI Busts Microsoft Software Counterfeiters 03/12/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- After
nearly two months of investigation, FBI agents have raided four
firms in California's Silicon Valley suspected of making counterfeit
Microsoft software worth about $600,000 each month.

The agents, accompanied by Microsoft investigators, said they
seized bogus disks and other items with a street value of more than
$180,000. The agents added that business records seized at the
four companies indicated that the multi-company scam had a much
larger scope.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Newsbytes that the investigation
was initiated by Microsoft in January of this year. The
spokesperson said that undercover purchases were made by FBI
agents and Microsoft agents prior to raiding the companies.

The spokesperson added that the companies are alleged to
have been counterfeiting Microsoft's MS-DOS Release 5.0
operating system and Microsoft Windows 3.0.

Federal agents have also seized the bank accounts of the
companies. A Microsoft spokesperson told Newsbytes that
officials of the companies involved attempted to withdraw funds
shortly after the companies were raided, but were unable to do
so because of the court order.

The spokesperson added that the bank accounts were seized in
order to ensure that some funds would be available to pay any
civil judgements which come out of suits which Microsoft said it
plans to file.

"The investigation is still ongoing," Newsbytes was told. It is
believed that more companies may be involved in the
investigation than the original four.

The FBI's continuing investigation could result in criminal
prosecution against the defendants on charges that include the
violation of the US Trademark Anti-counterfeiting Act, which makes
it a criminal offense to use counterfeit trademarks, as well as
trafficking in counterfeit goods and services. A conviction carries
a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, $250,000 in fines
for the individuals, and $1 million for each of the companies
convicted.

Investigators allege that at least four California companies worked
with Copyworld, a San Francisco commercial printer, to produce
units of Spring brand versions of the two software packages, and
sold the copies through Master Systems Inc., and Alphacom
International, both located in Fremont, California. Some of the
counterfeit products were allegedly sold to Business World
Products. The three companies are alleged to have sold the
goods to resellers and to the public.

Microsoft said it is also initiating civil suit against two printers
of software manuals -- DLR Lithographers of Santa Clara, and
Norcal Printing, Inc., of San Francisco. Exodus International, with
offices in Redwood City and Santa Clara was also implicated,
Microsoft officials said.

The Spring versions of MS-DOS 5.0 and Microsoft Windows are
legally authorized for production by Spring Circle Technology, a
Taiwan-based Microsoft licensee who produces MS-DOS
legitimately under the Spring label for distribution with its computer
systems.

Microsoft has long taken a strong stand on the issue of software
piracy. According to William Neukom, VP of law and corporate
affairs at Microsoft: "Microsoft will continue to pursue and seek
judgement against anyone whose illegal profits put our licensees
at risk and could expose our customers to inferior product."

Microsoft also cautioned buyers of counterfeit software that they
risk defective product, software viruses such as the highly
publicized Michaelangelo virus, and lack of support for the product.

(Jim Mallory/19920312/Press Contact: Katy Ehrlich,for Microsoft,
206-637-9097)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)

MS Intros Japanese Version Of Excel, Word For Windows 03/12/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has announced that Japanese versions of its Excel
spreadsheet program and Microsoft Word for Windows are now
shipping. According to Microsoft, Word for Windows is the first
windows-based word processing application ever translated into
Japanese.

According to a recent study issued by International Data
Corporation, the Japanese personal computer market is expected
to grow by at an annual rate of 23.9 percent throughout 1995.

A Microsoft spokesperson declined to tell Newsbytes how many
copies of Word for Windows had been sold in Japan, but said: "it
has enjoyed enormous success."

Newsbytes notes that Microsoft does not usually reveal sales
figures for its products, although it has made an exception
occasionally.

In 1982, Microsoft introduced a version of the Multiplan spreadsheet
program in Japan. Since then, the company has delivered 17 other
localized versions of its various products. In January this year, it
announced a Japanese version of Windows 3.0. Development of
the localized products, including Excel and Word for Windows, is
done at Microsoft's research and development center located in
Tokyo, where most employees are Japanese.

The Japanese version of Excel has a suggested list price of
98,000 yen (just over $700), while Word for Windows will sell for
58,000 yen, or a little over $415.

(Jim Mallory/19920312/Press Contact: Katy Ehrlich, for Microsoft,
206-637-9097)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

Microsoft Ships SQL Server Resource Kit 03/12/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Microsoft
has begun shipping its SQL Server Resource Kit, a compilation of
the most up to date utility programs and technical information to
help SQL Server version 4.2 customers implement and administer
more powerful windows-based client-server applications.

Similar to the previously announced Windows resource kit, the
SQL Server kit is designed to give customers greater insight into
the inner workings of SQL Server by bringing together detail
technical information in one resource, Microsoft said.

Included in the kit is information about how to build more powerful
client-server applications using the new cursor application
programming interface (API); how to build and integrate client-server
applications on various platforms; and information about various
version 4.2 components.

The kit also contains a detailed description of Open Data Services;
sample code and utilities; utilities to graphically monitor CPU
(central processor unit) utilization; and code samples for developers
who want to integrate Windows with SQL Server.

(Jim Mallory/19920312/Press Contact: Collins Hemingway, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

Kroy Introduces New BarCode System 03/12/92
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Kroy has
introduced TrackStar, its new bar code system designed for use in
small businesses or departments within a larger organization.

TrackStar is a dedicated system which includes a portable data
terminal with wand, a label printer, and a PC pre-loaded with bar
code tracking software and MS-DOS. The system has a suggested
list price of $9,995.

Bar coding refers to the black-on-white bars of varying widths found
on almost every product including groceries and library books
today. Bar coding allows automatic inventory adjustment and
invoice generation by passing a bar code reader wand across the
bars.

According to Phil Corse, Kroy's vice president of marketing and
business development, the TrackStar system was developed
when the company identified what it perceived as a market
opportunity: "in companies that have not adapted bar coding for
a variety of reasons, including cost or limited computer
resources."

Kroy said that TrackStar software uses prompts with pull-down
windows that provide step-by-step directions. The bar code tapes
are scratch and heat-resistant, allowing a bar code to be scanned
thousands of times with no loss of accuracy. Labels can be
printed in a wide range of typestyles and sizes, and the system
allows the use of some special effects.

TrackStar is the third system Kroy has introduced this year. In
January the company announced Imagecrafter, a program that
prepares color images such as presentation materials and banners
which are cut from vinyl. In late February the company announced
a portable badge printing system that prints name badges, such
as those used for company identification, as well as bar codes
on 0.5-inch wide tape.

(Jim Mallory/19920312/Press Contact: Suellyn McMillan, Kroy,
602-848-2222)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

Thai Bank Enhances Datacoms With Datacraft Datamizers 03/12/92
BANGKOK, THAILAND, 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- The Bank of Ayudhya
(BAY) has purchased 16 Symplex Datamizers from Datacraft Asia in
a US$200,000 move to improve interoffice communications between
its headquarters and branches throughout the country.

Lerchai Boonkoonsak, general manager of Datacraft Thailand,
said: "An efficient communications flow is important because of the
time-sensitive nature of the information being transmitted. The
bank has looked for higher line capacity, but high speed lines
are often unavailable and are expensive to operate in a country
like Thailand, where the telecommunications infrastructure is
still developing."

As the fifth largest bank in Thailand, BAY has a network of 250
widely distributed branches. Communication between remote
nodes and headquarters is carried over 9.6 to 19.2 kpbs leased
lines.

Tirayuth Suprapunpinyo of BAY's computer department said that
the Symplex Datamizers will offer improved network efficiency
economically. "A fourfold increase in data throughput has been
achieved without incurring additional leased-line cost," he
explained.

The Symplex Datamizer combines compression and intelligent
bandwidth allocation techniques to maximize available bandwidth
on the network. The enhancement has allowed the bank to upgrade
its services to customers, especially in the areas of automatic teller
machines (ATM) and credit card authorization, which require fast
transaction times.

The bank gets its name from the ancient capital of Thailand,
which was burned by Burmese invaders in the eighteenth century,
after which the royal family and seat of government moved to the
present capital, Bangkok.

(Norman Wingrove/19920312/Press Contact: Ron Cattell, Datacraft
Asia, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00006)

Hong Kong: Two New Dishes For Asia's Largest Earth Station 03/12/92
STANLEY, HONG KONG, 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Hong Kong Telecom
has added two new satellite dishes to its twenty-two year-old earth
station on Hong Kong Island's Stanley Peninsula.

Stanley, once the scene of atrocities during the World War II
Japanese occupation, is now more familiar locally for its market
area, a leading tourist attraction. Few tourists, though, see the
other side of the hill at the end of the peninsula, where travellers
by sea are treated to a dramatic landscape of mountains, sea,
and seven gleaming white dishes.

The Stanley station has long played a leading part in Hong Kong's
unassailed position as the telecommunications hub of the Orient.
Since the first dish was inaugurated by Princess Anne in 1970, there
has been a revolution in both inland and international
communications. Stanley very quickly became the point to and from
which voice, data, radio and television satellite services around the
region passed en-route to their final destination.

The two new dishes, costing HK$64 million (US$8.3 million), will
ensure Hong Kong's leading position for the foreseeable future,
and they are expected to play an important part in the rapid
development throughout East Asia of international satellite
television networks.

Mike Gale, managing director of Hong Kong Telecom, indicated
that he expected at least three TV companies to sign contracts for
Telecom to relay their signals from Intelsat to the Palapa B2P
satellite that will cover virtually the entire region.

While all the existing dishes are built to withstand strong winds,
one of the two new units is designed to operate in typhoon
strength winds of 360 kilometers-per-hour.

A third new dish is due to come into service this summer in time to
relay the 1992 Olympics.

(Norman Wingrove/19920312/Press Contact: Peter Hamilton, HK
Telecom, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00007)

Digital Gets Major British National Power Contract 03/12/92
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corporation has announced that Britain's National Power
electricity supply company has purchased more than $50 million in
systems and services to form the backbone of a nationwide
computer network, power station control system, and management
information and business planning system.

Under the terms of the contract, the Digital system at National Power
will network multi-vendor systems, including an Amdahl mainframe,
via a DECnet SNA gateway and will also integrate MS-DOS PCs. All
access to the network from diverse business groups within National
Power will be via Digital's All-in-1 integrated office automation
software.

Plans call for a wide area network to link National Power's
Harrogate, London, Leatherhead, and Swindon sites as well as
more than 30 power stations. At each site will be an Ethernet local
area network running Digital's Personal Computer Systems
Architecture (PCSA) and PATHWORKS software.

Over two years, National Power is expected to use more than 100
Digital Vax computers and also employ education, consulting,
maintenance, and integration services from Digital. In addition to
All-in-1, the systems are scheduled to run software applications
such as Prism, a work management system from Andersen
Consulting, and other third-party operational, inventory and
contracts management applications.

Announcing the contract, National Power's Director of Information
Technology, John Handby, said: "We see information technology
enabling the changes needed to ensure we are the low cost
producer of electricity. Using Digital equipment for this network was
an obvious choice given the distributed nature of our operations
and Digital's acknowledged networking capabilities."

"Our challenge at National Power is to put systems in place to
help us operate effectively in a competitive market. We are doing
this with an advanced, integrated computer network linking all
company locations," he added.

Patricia C. Foye, who heads Digital's Worldwide Utilities Business
Unit, added: "This contract confirms that our multi-vendor
networking capabilities offer utility companies an Open
Advantage, which helps unify diverse systems and protect their
technology investment."

"Our work with National Power, and other large utilities in Europe
such as Electricite de France, RWE (Rheinesch-Westfalische
Elektrizitatswerke) of Germany, and Electrabel of Belgium,
underscores the acceptance of our technology when utilities
want efficiency and competitive advantage from their systems,"
she added.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920312/Press
Contact: Jeff Bartman, Digital Equipment, 508-467-9904)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00008)

New For Networks: Synoptics Intros Three Products 03/12/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- In a
series of announcements, Synoptics is introducing two new
modules for its Synoptics System 3000 intelligent hub and a
module that incorporates its new LattisSecure technology.

The Model 3313S and 3314S are modules that are designed to
capture, analyze, and display a broad range of statistics on network
errors and events. There are 288 different parameters that can be
evaluated by these devices. Each of the parameters can be set by
the network administrator. This allows the network administrator to
fine-tune his network's performance in the way that makes the most
amount of sense for that particular installation.

Both modules are based on a Motorola MC68332 microcontroller
and come with enough RAM to perform their current tasks. Synoptics
is planning for future expansion of these modules' tasks by having
the RAM be socketed so that it can eventually be upgraded to
support more functions and more tasks.

According to Synoptics, the modules have a Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) agent in them to allow for easier
management and control. When used in concert with Synoptics'
Network Control Engine (NCE), the network administrator can fine-
tune the performance of the modules, categorize the information
received, and display the results either numerically or graphically.

Both modules are available now. The model 3313S has an AUI port
on it and is priced at $6,995 while the model 3314S has a fiber optic
inter-repeater link (FOIRL) connection port with an ST connector.
The model 3314S is priced at $7,395.

The model 3368 is a new 10Base-T Ethernet Host Module for
the Synoptics System 3000 hub. It contains Synoptics's new
LattisSecure technology that is intended to allow for more
private and secure communications in the LAN (local area
network) environment.

LattisSecure resides on the hub and ensures that when a packet
is received, it is routed directly to its destination and that no
other station will have access to the data. As a matter of fact,
other stations that attempt to access the data in that packet
will see garbage. The technology is such that even sophisticated
network analyzers and packet decoders will not be able to analyze
the data.

LattisSecure is also useful for monitoring events and changes as
they occur on the network. The network administrator can set it up
in such a way as to alert him to any changes and attempts to enter
the network.

The software can be set to "learn" the configuration of the
system by itself, thereby alleviating the need for the network
administrator to manually enter the network's setup and change
information to the system. LattisSecure maintains logs of all
system activities which can then be viewed or printed by the
network administrator to audit system activities. The system can
even shut down segments that it believes are trying to cause
some mischief or are attempting unauthorized actions.

The Synoptics model 3368 supports up to 12 10Base-T
connections. It is available now for $1,695. For more information on
any of these announcements, call Synoptics at 408-988-2400.

(Naor Wallach/19920312/Press Contact: Kristina Thorngate,
Synoptics, 408-764-1046)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00009)

New For Networks: 3Com's Source Routing Transparent Bridge 03/12/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- 3Com's
new Netbuilder Token Ring is a new bridge that supports the Source
Routing Transparent protocols. By bridging Token Ring networks
together with the SRT, the company claims to have one of the
fastest SRT bridges in existence.

3Com is claiming that it can sustain a throughput rate of 3,600
packets-per-second (pps) or greater. Even when the bridge is
over-saturated on the input end, 3Com claims that it is able to
maintain the 3,600 pps rate. To support its claims, 3Com is
citing reports received from two testing agencies LANQuest and
InterLab.

InterLab compiled the performance figures that are being touted
by the company. In InterLab's tests, 3Com bridge was the best
performing SRT bridge in the under $10,000 category.

LANQuest performs electrical testing of Token Ring networks. In
their report they backed up 3Com's claims of having virtually jitter-
free performance. The lab also verified that 3Com's bridge was
fully compatible with the IEEE 802.5 specifications.

Netbuilder Token Ring supports IBM Token Ring installation running
SR bridging and SRT bridging for mixed environments. On the wide
area network side, 3Com's bridge supports V.35, RW449, frame
relay, PPP, and others. NetBuilder Token Ring is managed by an
SNMP agent. The device is available now for prices ranging from
$6,750 and up depending on the configuration.

(Naor Wallach/19920312/Press Contact: Krista Passarelli, 3Com,
408-764-5436)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00010)

 ***Digital Music Radio Broadcasting Starts Soon In Japan 03/12/92
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Japan will get its first taste
of digital radio broadcasting when six stations begin transmissions
this June. The service is expected to attract a lot of interest and
create a totally new market in the Japanese audio trade.

DIgital radio broadcasting uses a technology drawn from the data
communications industry. The technology - pulse code modulation -
allows audio signals to be encoded in digital form and uplinked
to a satellite. Because of the wide bandwidth available on DBS
(direct broadcast from satellite) transmissions, full digital
stereo transmissions are possible.

Like most other consumer satellite service, digital music
broadcasting will be subscription-based, with listeners charged
600 yen (about $4.50) per channel per month. Listeners need buy a
decoder to use with their equipment and plans are in hand for a
variety of electronics companies to produce the decoders for
between 100,000 ($750) and 200,000 yen ($1,500).

The broadcasting companies have said that the prices of the
decoders will be at cost, and that they want to get as many
listeners as possible. The electronics companies, however, want
to make a profit, so there is a big debate going on at the moment
as to what sort of prices will be charged for the decoders when
they appear.

The problems associated with the cost of the decoders pales into
insignificance, however, alongside the potential problems faced
by the music industry. Digital radio broadcasting allows compact
disk-quality signals to be broadcast right into the home, with
zero quality loss. Armed with a digital audio tape (DAT) deck,
listeners can then record their own music at CD quality levels.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19920312)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

Broadband Offers Video On Phone Systems 03/12/92
NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- BroadBand
Technologies has announced that it is now offering interactive,
switched digital video with its Fiber Loop Access System, known
as FLX. The capability is being field tested by C&P Telephone, a
unit of Bell Atlantic in the Washington, D.C. area, and is designed to
let telephone companies deliver advanced video-based services
to homes and businesses.

Broadband has been selling its "fiber-to-the-curb" system for a
number of years, noting that in some applications it is cost-
competitive with copper wire. But, while it has touted the video
capability, it has been selling modular units which mainly offer
"plain old telephone service," in part because regulators were
hostile to phone company attempts to get customers to pay for
anything involving video capacity. With recent moves by U.S.
regulators urging phone company entry into cable television, the
equation has changed.

FLX enables phone companies to simultaneously deliver switched
digital video and basic telephone signals over the same fiber
link. Upgrading to video is made by adding circuit cards at "host
digital terminal" and "optical network units" in neighborhoods.

Other features include: on-screen menus that indicate the
channels viewers can receive, as well as text overlays that
indicate volume level, channel and time-of-day on-screen,
regardless of the type or age of television; "picture-in-picture"
capability, which enables viewers with compatible televisions to
watch one channel and call up a smaller image of a second
channel on the same screen; and the ability to receive up
to six video channels simultaneously, each with access to 64
channels of programming.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312/Press Contact: Copithorne &
Bellows, for Broadband, Mel Webster, 617-252-0606)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00012)

Northern Telecom Intros Paperless Document Delivery 03/12/92
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Northern
Telecom has introduced Helmsman, a paperless document delivery
system. Helmsman stores the equivalent of 250,000 pages of text
on a single CD-ROM, and the system can work with IBM-compatible
PCs, Unix systems such as Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems,
and Apple computers.

The company said that papers stored on each CD-ROM save
ten 35-foot trees. Companies that distribute large quantities of
documentation can now save several hundred thousand trees a
year.

Helmsman uses a high-speed search capability to quickly find
graphics and text. It is designed for product information,
technical drawings and schematics, and technical specifications
and recommended answers to problems. An aircraft or automobile
manufacturer, for example, could put all the recommended repair
procedures for a specific type aircraft or automobile on Helmsman
and eliminate paper copies of technical advisories.

Helmsman allows businesses to store documents on either a
CD-ROM or in a data base for transfer to a computer where a
document search can take place. Using the public telephone
network and fiber optic connections, a company can keep a data
base in one location and distribute the documents, and any
updates as they occur. Training manuals, repair manuals,
regulations and other documents can be updated from one
location to another location around the globe.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312/Press Contact: Northern Telecom,
Frank McNally, 615-734-4216)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

International Phone Update 03/12/92
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 13 (NB) -- International
reports this week spotlight problems with privatizing and
improving phone networks around the world.

The Middle East News Network reported that recurring faults
have been taking place on telephone and fax lines in the Saudi
Arabian capital of Riyadh. Diplomats speculate a rising
groundwater table could be responsible.

In Brazil, the Telebras phone monopoly, which is mainly owned by
the state, signed a cooperation agreement with US West of the
US. No money was exchanged, but it could be the first move by US
West to take a stake in the company, which has been subject to
privatization rumors.

It might take some stake in the open market, as Telebras said it
would issue American depository receipts -- a form of common
stock -- on US markets. About $1.3 billion could be raised at
$35-$40 per share. Despite its state control, Telebras has been
one of the most traded shares on Brazil's stock market over the
past six months.

Malaysia Telekom awarded a two billion ringgit switch contract to
five companies -- Sweden's Ericsson, Finland's Nokia, France's
Alcatel Alsthom, and NEC, and Fujitsu from Japan. AT&T and
Siemens of Germany, which lose, blamed politics for the failure of
their bids. Malaysian officials rejected that notion. The contract
amounts to nearly ten percent of the firm's capitalization.

Finally, Singapore officials told Reuters they doubt a move will
be made this year to privatize Singapore Telecom, which
nevertheless has been actively seeking out international
markets. Its latest move was to join the FNA group headed by
MCI of the US. Previous reports indicated privatization might
start this year -- the company has assets of over $6 billion.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

Bell Atlantic Demonstrates AIN Telecom Technology 03/12/92
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Bell Atlantic
has demonstrated a technology called Advanced Intelligent Network,
which uses computers in modern phone switches to quickly define
new services on subscriber lines. The company said this could
speed the arrival and cut the development costs of new services
by factors of several thousand or more.

"The astonishing leap in network efficiency offered by AIN
promises to open a new chapter in telecommunications history in
which new services will be available to customers on demand, and
exotic technologies such as portable handheld phones will become
commonplace," said John Seazholtz, Bell Atlantic vice president
of technology.

Services could be developed in minutes, and offered immediately.
Currently services like "call waiting" are programmed into each
individual switch by switch makers. Bell Atlantic wants to offer
services based on AIN by the fourth quarter of this year,
beginning with Area-Wide Centrex and Switch Redirect.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312/Press Contact: Nancy Murray,
Bell Atlantic, 703-974-1719)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

Ameritech May Be Losing Influence At State Level 03/12/92
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Ameritech, the
Bell company for the upper Midwest, was riding high recently
after winning new powers in Michigan and hearing nice things in
Illinois. But now its influence in some states it serves may be
waning.

In Illinois, most of the commissioners who proposed a
"telecommunications free trade zone" in Chicago are being
replaced by Republican Governor Jim Edgar, and replaced with
people allied with consumer interests. Former Chicago Public
Works Commissioner David Williams replaced Calvin Manshio,
and Illinois State University official Karl McDermott replaced Jerry
Blakemore.

The pro-consumer Citizens Utility Board called the appointments a
step forward. Previously chairman Terry Barnich was replaced by
Ellen Craig after a scandal involving Barnich's calls to utility
executives during rate cases. The idea of a "free trade zone" was
rejected in part because it was found to be illegal -- the ICC
does not have power to set one type of rate in one area of the
state and a different mechanism in other parts of the state.

Meanwhile, Ohio Bell gave up its fight to win Caller ID without
blocking, and proposed a per-call blocking option. In a letter to
the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the company said it is
prepared to implement Caller ID and Automatic Callback services
with free per-call blocking for all telephone subscribers and
free per-line blocking for law enforcement and crisis intervention
agencies certified by the agency.

Ohio Bell said that its intent is to help bring the decision
process to a conclusion. Caller ID would cost $6.50 per month in
Ohio for up to 300 received calls, and a few cents for each added
call. Consumer advocates there, however, were not amused. The
state's Office of the Consumers' Counsel also wants free per-line
blocking on request. Georgia recently demanded that Southern
Bell offer free per-line blocking on Caller ID services there, but
rejected per-call blocking.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312/Press Contact: David Kandel,
Ohio Bell, 614-223-6226; ICC, 217-524-5056)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

MEDphone Gets First Cellular Defibrillation Service 03/12/92
NEWARK, DELAWARE, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- The Medical
Center of Delaware will introduce the MEDphone cellular rescue
program, becoming the first facility to offer heart defibrillation to
heart attack victims. Defibrillation involves sending electric
shocks through special paddles into a patient's chest to return
the heartbeat to normal.

The technology will be available through the Christiana and
Talleyville Fire Companies, which will carry MDphone Cellular
Rescue units. The Talleyville and Christiana companies were
selected because of the high volume of emergency response
calls they receive.

The MDphone Cellular Rescue is activated by opening the case
and selecting either the cellular mode or the system's landline
capability, which uses a standard phone jack. After the mode is
selected, the MDphone Cellular Rescue will automatically dial the
pre-programmed phone number to reach a MDphone hospital
base station.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312/Press Contact: MEDphone, Debora
Markiewicz, 201-843-6644; Medical Center of Delaware, Natalie
Dyke, 302-428-2127)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

Sprint Introduces New Voice Processing System 03/12/92
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Sprint
TeleMedia, which runs the company's caller-paid 900 numbers,
has announced Productivity Plus, a new voice response and
transaction processing system that enables callers to reach
computerized databases and carry out transactions using a
touch-tone phone keypad. Since operators are unnecessary, the
cost of communicating with customers or employees is reduced.

Callers could access databases over either 800 or 900 numbers.
Once on-line, they use a personal identification number, the
same PIN protection used for bank ATM (automated teller
machine) transactions, to identify themselves, then enter additional
codes to query the database. Sprint said Air Canada, is already
using Productivity Plus to automate its flight information. Callers get
the latest information on arrivals and departures by calling an 800
number.

Other applications include: customer order placement or service
call requests; customer billing inquiries or purchases; college
registrations; credit applications; daily sales reporting; and
employee health care benefit registration.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920312/Press Contact: Sprint, Robin
Pence, 202-828-7454)
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00018)

 ****Central Point Debuts Anti-Virus For Windows Software 03/12/92
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Central Point
Software has introduced Central Point Anti-Virus for Windows, a
Windows-based virus-combative program which can do virus
scans in the background or schedule unattended scans at off-hours.

The company claims that the software is capable of scanning for,
and removing, over 1,000 viruses including ones who have
received recent attention including the Michelangelo, Jerusalem,
Stoned, Dir2, and Maltese Amoeba.

Both known and new stealth viruses can also be detected by the
Windows product, Central Point added. Stealth viruses are more
difficult to locate because they trick the computer's operating
system reporting erroneous file size information, hiding changes
and other modifications to infected files.

Stealth techniques make traditional file size checks and file
modification checks ineffective. However, Central Point says that
its Anti-Virus for Windows uses low-level technology to by-pass
possible incorrect information from the operating system and
identify stealth and other virus techniques.

The product has introduced scheduled scanning, allowing users to
schedule unattended virus scans at regular intervals, the company
maintains. Background scanning is also an option, so a user can
work while the anti-virus software is performing scans. At the
completion of the scans, the software provides a statistical report in
an on-screen window.

The company says that, as an introductory special, it is offering
the Windows Anti-Virus product, a utility program called
Scrapbook, and a game called Simant, all for $69.95. More
information is available from Central Point at 503-690-8088.

Central Point offers utility products for DOS, Windows, and
Macintosh platforms. The company also markets Norton Anti-Virus
for DOS.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920312/Press Contact: Karen Garrison, Central
Point Software, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00019)

Motorola Offers New Fuzzy Logic Tool, Sets Open Standard 03/12/92
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Motorola
has announced a new Fuzzy Inference Development Environment
(FIDE) software tool and is making the first attempts to establish
standards for fuzzy logic.

Aptronix, a San Jose, California-based fuzzy logic development
company originally created the fuzzy logic FIDE software
development tool, that Motorola says will allow microcontrollers
to have fuzzy logic capabilities.

Motorola's Microprocessor and Memory Technologies Group made
the announcement and its plans are to make this a stepping stone to
the eventual introduction of fuzzy logic and related technologies
to the market.

The company also announced an open data structure which it says
will begin the first steps toward the standardization of fuzzy logic,
something that has to happen before any technology can become
widely accepted.

The standard, called the "Fuzzy System Standard Environment"
(FSSE) has been announced by Motorola and Aptronix. Both
companies have offered the FSSE as an open standard that is
freely available to the public.

Motorola has been recently honored by winning the Malcolm
Baldridge National Quality Award in 1988 for its company-wide
management.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920312/Press Contact: Marianne Radwan,
Capital Relations for Motorola, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00020)

 ****Silicon Graphics/MIPS To Merge; Create MIPS Technology 03/12/92
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) --
Workstation manufacturer Silicon Graphics has announced that the
company and MIPS Computer, probably best known for its reduced
instruction-set computer (RISC) chip design, have entered into a
merger agreement.

Edward R. McCracken, president and chief executive officer (CEO)
of Silicon Graphics said: "This concentration of engineering talent
will enable us to deliver new generations of computing, based on
visualization and a single, scalable architecture that spans from
PCs to supercomputers."

The merger will produce MIPS Technologies, a company
established by both Silicon Graphics and MIPS, to be headed by
Robert C. Miller the current chairman, president and CEO of MIPS.
Completion of the merger is expected by June of this year.

Silicon Graphics is expected to take the lead role in the new
company and will add three seats on its board of directors for
MIPS Technologies, one of which will be filled by Miller. The deal
has drawn a lot of attention, and reports are that MIPS stock is
already beginning to go up.

Both companies said that, under the terms of the agreement, MIPS
stockholders will receive 0.61 shares of Silicon Graphics' common
stock for each share of MIPS' common stock owned.

MIPS has approximately 25 million shares outstanding. Three
seats will be added to Silicon Graphics' board of directors for
MIPS representation, one of which will be occupied by Miller.

Silicon Graphics says that it intends to account for the merger
as a pooling of interests. The company added that, as a result of
its recent repurchase of convertible preferred stock from Compaq
Computer Corporation, it will be required to reissue between 3.9
and 5.4 million common shares or equivalent convertible
securities before the closing of the merger in order to qualify
for pooling treatment.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920312/Press Contact: Marilyn Lattin, Silicon
Graphics, tel [phone], fax [phone]; Caroline Hughes,
MIPS, 408-524-7295)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00021)

 ****Merisel Now Apple Distributor; Targets Small/Med VARs 03/12/92
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- In another
swing in Apple's marketing strategy, Merisel has announced an
agreement with the company, under which it will distribute the entire
line of Apple USA products to Apple's US value-added resellers
(VARs).

Merisel says that Apple selected it because of services it can
provide to small- to medium-sized VARs including purchasing and
delivery, technical support, training, financing programs, and
communications. The distributor says Apple is interested in
gaining ground for its products with those retailers in order to
get into key vertical markets.

Apple USA President Bob Puette said: "We hope to recruit VARs
aligned with Apple target vertical markets including: design and
imaging, integrated media, architecture, publishing, finance and
accounting, legal, engineering, and real estate."

As a result of the agreement, Merisel has already started a VAR
recruitment program called "Apple Access" to attract Apple resellers.
It is offering the following enticements: a dedicated division
offering free technical support; a VAR sales account manager for
personal support; discounts on Apple training and education
programs; a end-user lead referral program; a free newsletters for
current information; quarterly catalogs of Apple and Macintosh
products and pricing information; Apple product almanacs including
30-day floor planning; a twice-monthly fax bulletin; and monthly price
and bundle specials.

Apple appears to have gone full tilt into marketing mode,
implementing the "aggressive" marketing moves it promised last
year. The company has announced lower retail prices, new
corporate leasing deals with GE, distribution agreements with
Ingram Micro and Compuadd as well as Merisel, and has started
accepting "trade-ins" of used MS-DOS and Macintosh computer
equipment,

(Linda Rohrbough/19920312/Press Contact: Cathy Quattrocchi,
Merisel, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00022)

Free Virus Booklet Updated 03/12/92
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- With
a Friday the 13th coming up so soon after the attack of the
Michelangelo virus last week, the Computer Security Institute (CSI)
has announced the availability of an updated, "thoroughly revised"
edition of their free booklet, "A Manager's Guide to Computer
Viruses" to highlight preventative tactics.

"Our basic position at the institute is that viruses are a manageable
problem," said CSI director Philip Chapnick. "We all learn to suffer
the minor annoyance of brushing our teeth regularly to prevent tooth
decay. If we all practice good computer hygiene, we can minimize
the cost and disruption of these malicious threats to our computing
resources in the same way."

CSI says that the booklet presents a balanced approach to
preventative virus medicine and is written in simple, non-
technical language.

Over 10,000 copies have been distributed since the first edition of
the booklets back in 1988, CSI says. The organization describes
itself as the oldest international membership specifically serving
the information security professional and has over 3,000 members
worldwide.

Complimentary copies are available to those who send a send a
(58 cents) stamped, self-addressed envelope (number 10
business-sized) to: Computer Security Institute, 600 Harrison St.,
San Francisco, California 94107.

As a side note, Chapnick told Newsbytes that the March 6 threat
of the Michalangelo virus is providing the Institute with an interesting
opportunity to get a "snapshot" of the propensity of the computer
virus problem in corporations in the US.

"Many of our members belong to Fortune 1000 companies and
we have reports that virus scans may not have revealed the
Michelangelo, but turned up other viruses. We're collecting data
now and hope to get what we feel will be a pretty accurate
snapshot of computer viruses in North American corporations
on March 6," Chapnick said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920312/Press Contact: Philip Chapnick,
Computer Security Institute, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)

IBM Expands Disk Drive Offerings To OEMs 03/12/92
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- IBM
has added several new models to the line of disk drives it sells to
other manufacturers for use in their systems. New offerings to the
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) marketplace include 2.5-
inch disk drives, rewritable optical disk drives, a magnetic tape
subsystem, and a 1.2-gigabyte, 3.5-inch disk drive that uses an
advanced head technology.

IBM launched new 60 megabyte (MB) and 120 MB 2.5-inch disk
drives, adding to its line of smaller drives for small PCs, laptops,
notebooks, and other products where space is scarce. The drives
are 0.5-inches and 0.67-inches high respectively.

IBM also announced it will offer its existing 80 MB 2.5-inch drive,
announced last year, on a special bid basis as a removable
hard disk drive to fit existing 3.5-inch disk drive bays.

Two new 3.5-inch disk drives provide higher capacities at
competitive prices, the company said. A single evaluation unit of
the new 80 MB 3.5-inch drive costs $300 and the 160 MB
drive is $355. Prices are lower for quantities of production
units.

IBM also announced a higher-capacity version of its magneto-
resistive (MR) head 3.5-inch disk drive that can store up to 1.2
billion bytes, or 1.2 gigabytes of information. Due to be available
in the third quarter of this year, it will be among the first 1.2
gigabyte 3.5-inch disk drives in full production, IBM said.

IBM officials said that the magneto-resistive head technology,
developed by its engineers in San Jose, California, gives the
drives higher capacities than would otherwise be possible. The
drive uses independent elements to write and read data -- an
inductive element for writing and a magneto-resistive element for
reading.

IBM also plans to sell a storage unit containing two 1.2 gigabyte
drives in a 5.25-inch enclosure.

IBM also introduced new optical disk drives, including a faster
model of its 3.5-inch rewritable optical drive and a rewritable
5.25-inch optical drive.

The 127 MB 3.5-inch rewritable optical drive now has a data
transfer rate of 625 kilobytes-per-second (KBps)and an increased
rotation speed of 3,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpm), compared
with 384 KBps and 1,800 rpm in the original model announced last
spring. The data seek time is improved from 60 milliseconds to 40
milliseconds, IBM said.

IBM's rewritable 5.25-inch optical disk drive offers 650 MB
(unformatted) of removable storage per disk. IBM said it is
particularly suited to use in optical storage libraries and for
applications that need high-capacity removable random access
storage.

(Grant Buckler/19920312/Press Contact: Pam Olson, IBM,
914-642-5553)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00024)

 ****IBM To Sell Low-Cost PCs Under Another Name In Europe 03/12/92
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- IBM is
preparing to sell low-priced personal computers under a different
name in Europe, the company has confirmed. A spokesman told
Newsbytes IBM will form a subsidiary to manufacture and sell PCs
compatible with its own brand.

IBM spokesman Chris Clough said that a subsidiary of IBM will
manufacture the machines and sell them under a name yet to be
determined. They will not bear the IBM name, he said. Clough said
he could not discuss details of service and support that might be
offered with the machines. Other reports have said IBM does not
plan to offer as high a level of service and support with the
low-priced units as it does with those that bear its own name.

The company is not ready to say when the new machines will go
on the market, Clough told Newsbytes.

At present, Clough said, IBM is only planning to sell the
low-priced PC line in Europe. However, "you can't rule out the
possibility in the future" that the practice might be extended to
other regions, including the United States. IBM's US operations
will be watching how the strategy works in Europe, he said, and
might decide to imitate it some day.

(Grant Buckler/19920312/Press Contact: Chris Clough, IBM,
914-642-5372)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00025)

IBM Unveils Vendor Program To Support OS/2 03/12/92
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Hoping to
encourage third-party vendors to develop training courses, books,
and other products to support its OS/2 operating system, IBM has
announced a support program for those selling non-software
products related to OS/2.

IBM has formed the Independent Vendor League, or I.V. League,
playing on the name Ivy League that refers to a group of respected
American universities. The I.V. League is a worldwide program for
independent non-software vendors whose products and services
complement IBM's OS/2 2.0.

IBM said the I.V. League will be a resource for companies that
provide training and consulting, publish magazines and books, or
offer other services related to OS/2 2.0 and future versions. The
program is intended to support vendors offerings "a broad array
of things that are not specifically software," said company
spokeswoman Deborah Siegel.

Ted Salamone, independent vendor program manager at IBM,
told Newsbytes the program will provide vendors with a single
point of contact in dealing with IBM. It will also give them access to
resources such as pre-release versions of OS/2 2.0 and future
releases, pre-release documentation, IBM technical support and
training, and a developers' magazine.

IBM also plans to help participating vendors publicize and sell
their products by informing its direct sales force and other
channels about relevant products, and by making products
available for ordering through IBM, Salamone said.

There is no charge to participate in the I.V. League program
itself, Salamone said, though there will be charges for some of
the services made available through it.

For more information about the program, interested vendors can
contact Melissa Robertson at 914-766-3722,or Lucy Darbisi at
914-766-3143.

(Grant Buckler/19920312/Press Contact: Deborah Siegel, IBM,
914-642-5377)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00026)

Microcom Offers Free Disinfector For Maltese Amoeba 03/12/92
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) --
Virus-protection utility developer Microcom is offering a free
disinfector for the Maltese Amoeba virus. This newly identified
virus is expected to overwrite unprotected DOS drives on its
detonation dates of March 15 and November 1.

The disinfector is available with Microcom's freeware virus
scanner, VIRx 2.1, by calling the company's utilities bulletin
board. To reach the board, call 919-419-1602 (setting
communications software to eight data bits, one stop bit, and no
parity). The disinfector may also be downloaded from commercial
bulletin board services, as well as some on-line systems.

Company spokeswoman Mary Golden-Hughes said Microcom
does not expect the Maltese Amoeba virus to be widespread. It is
unlikely to do even as much damage as the Michelangelo virus,
which was triggered on March 6, she said. However, the company
is offering the free disinfector because of widespread concern
among computer users thanks to heavy publicity surrounding
viruses in the last few weeks.

The free disinfector for the Maltese Amoeba virus will be available
with VIRx 2.1 until March 20, Golden-Hughes said. Normally, VIRx
will report the presence of viruses but is not equipped to remove
them. Microcom's commercial product, Virex, both identifies and
removes viruses.

Recently, Microcom offered a similar free disinfector for the
Michelangelo virus with VIRx.

(Grant Buckler/19920312/Press Contact: Robert Capon or Mary
Golden-Hughes, Microcom, 919-490-1277)
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00027)

FCC To Crack Down On Uncertified Systems 03/12/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), the United States government
agency which has jurisdiction over all radio transmitters and any
electronic devices which could interfere with electronic
communications, is apparently about to crack down on computer
companies building and marketing computers and related devices
which have not been tested and certified as meeting stringent FCC
regulations regarding how much radio frequency interference they
can cause.

Computers sold in the U.S. must be tested and certified as
complying with FCC regulations in one of two categories, either
Class A for business use, or the more stringent Class B which
requires better electromagnetic shielding for home systems
which are more likely to be used in close proximity to electronic
entertainment devices such as televisions.

With computer clock speeds increasing, and thus getting into the
"more-difficult-to-shield" high-frequencies, the need for strict
shielding is becoming ever more important. The FCC Baltimore
Office, according to Computer Reseller News (CRN), has just
mailed out 10,000 warning letters to builders and resellers just
in that five state FCC region.

The FCC has reported that a preliminary survey last year found
that more than half the computers offered for sale did not have
FCC certification.

CRN reports in the latest issue that the FCC chief of equipment
authorization found that only three percent of 100 vendors at a
January computer show in Maryland had equipment with the
required FCC label and that two of those were later determined
to have falsified certification ID numbers.

The FCC can levy fines of $25,000 per violation for selling
computers without proper FCC certification.

Fortunately for computer owners, if their computers do not cause
them or their neighbors any trouble then they do not have to
worry, because while it is illegal for manufacturers or even retail
stores to sell non-certified computers, there is no law against
owning and using such a computer.

(John McCormick/19920312)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00028)

Computer Science Reveals Salary Survey Findings 03/12/92
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Edward
Perlin Associates has released a study which analyses 10 years'
worth of records of starting salaries for newly graduated computer
science majors which predicts that the average first job for the class
of '92 will pay nearly $31,000, up about 5.5 percent from last year.

As for just where the jobs will lie, the management consulting
firm says that: "some of the hot areas are in the Unix-based
systems and artificial intelligence applications," while the
perennial favorites continue to be systems integration and
telecommunication.

All this indicates, according to Perlin Associates, that there is
an upturn in demand for computer science graduates, but Tamblyn,
a staff consultant, warns students: "It's not too soon for the Class
of '92 computer science grads to start contacting firms to let them
know of their availability and of their skills."

One especially bright point is that the researchers say companies
are reviewing their job descriptions to make certain they will
comply with the July 26 implementation of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, legislation which will require all companies
with more than 25 full-time employees to hire the qualified
disabled worker.

Edward Perlin Associates is located at 276 Fifth Ave., New York,
NY 10001, and is a management consulting firm which specializes
in compensation management. The company's telephone number
is 212-725-8550,

(John McCormick/19920312/Press Contact: John Warlikowski,
Edward Perlin Assoc., 212-725-8550)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)

Thinking Computer Part II, $100,000 Loebner Prize 03/12/92
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 MAR 12 (NB) --
The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, has announced the
date and site of the second "Quest for the Thinking Computer"
contest which will test computers against human beings and each
other in the "Turing Test." The next test will be held at the Computer
Museum in Boston on November 17, 1992.

Last year's contest, also held at the Boston Computer Museum,
featured ten judges using eight terminals in an attempt to
determine which ones were controlled by people and which by
computers.

The $100,000 Loebner Prize in Artificial Intelligence will be
awarded to the first computer which can convince judges in an
open-ended test that they are talking with another human via
computer terminals, rather than just getting reactions from a
computer.

Since computers at present are only capable of competing in a
single-topic area, the 1992 winner will only receive a bronze
medal and $2,000, but there will be periodic open-ended, non-
topic restricted tests which let computers compete for the top
$100,000 prize.

Alan Turing, the famous English mathematician who developed
many of the basic concepts used in modern computers, proposed
a contest which would place a person at a teletype terminal and if
that person could not tell whether he or she was carrying on a
discussion with a computer or another person, then the computer
would be considered truly intelligent.

For further information or to purchase a transcript of the
conversations held during the 1991 contest, contact Kathleen
Towne at 617-491-9020, or fax [phone]. Applications to
compete must be accompanied with a non-refundable $25
fee for individuals or $100 for schools or groups.

The $2,000 prize will go to the highest scoring machine entry.

Three of the judges last year thought that the two humans were
computers, while one of the six computer entries was able to fool
half of the judges into thinking that it was human.

(John McCormick/19920312/Press Contact: Dr. Robert Epstein,
Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, 619-534-6281,
617-876-2716)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00030)

Hong Kong: Oracle Wins HK$15M Government Contract 03/12/92
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1992 MAR 12 (NB) -- Oracle has won
a major contract to supply database software to the Hong Kong
government. The contract lasts for 18 months and is worth HK$15
million (around $2 million).

Under the terms of the contract, the government's Information
Technology Services Department (ITSD) will use Oracle's RDBMS
as its standard relational database. The software will run under the
Unix operating system on mid-range computers from Unisys.

"For ITSD, Oracle is an established supplier which has proved
its value in terms of performance, support and service," said
Rosanna Mak, acting assistant director of ITSD. "In addition,
Oracle's potential to run in a consistent manner across PC,
minicomputer and mainframe platforms was desirable in ensuring
effective communications between departments and applications."

Henry Chan, sales director of Oracle Systems Hong Kong Limited,
said: "Oracle is delighted to win this prestigious tender. The
contract builds upon our strong existing relationship with the
Hong Kong government and reinforces Oracle's leadership in the
database market."

The contract is in line with the government's strategy to implement
Unix-based open systems computing on mid-range systems. For
Oracle, which currently has more than 50 database licenses across
a variety of platforms, the contract is the first major order under Unix.

According to Chan, portability, connectibility, capability and
compatibility were the key factors in Oracle's successful bid.
"The company's commitment to open systems enabled us to offer
the most flexible solution and the smoothest upgrade path," he said.

Another important objective for ITSD was to streamline the
administrative process for software selection. "By going directly to
established solutions from approved suppliers, applications can be
implemented rapidly, and productivity and cost effectiveness
improved quickly," said Mak.

Oracle Systems Hong Kong Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Oracle Corporation, which has subsidiaries in nine Asia-Pacific
countries.

(Norman Wingrove/19920312/Press contact: Karen Wan, Oracle,
[phone])