KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 29, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Neoware Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:NWRE), the leading supplier of award-winning software, services, and solutions for the Appliance Computing market, today announced the completed installation of Sartomer Company's server-based thin client appliance computing solution.
Sartomer Company, part of TotalFinaElf, the fourth largest oil corporation in the world, is a premier global supplier of specialty chemicals widely used in inks, adhesives, coatings, plastics, and elastomers. Sartomer is headquartered in Exton, PA with manufacturing locations in West Chester, PA, Channelview, TX, Stratford, CT, Chatham, VA, Chatom, AL, and Grand Junction, CO.
Having a worldwide presence, Sartomer's IT department could not afford to experience downtime with the company's operations running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. One factor that made this task even more difficult: a lean helpdesk staff centralized in Exton with no IT staff at the other facilities. When Sartomer set out to enhance its IT system to better meet its needs, it had to take this factor into account, as well as seek ways to save time and money.
Sartomer's network is comprised of over 300 users with over 100 users requiring remote access. These users access over 25 necessary software packages, including an ERP system, Microsoft Office, and internally developed packages, such as those used for maintaining process control and chemical modeling. Resolving issues and updating these applications is orchestrated from Exton, with Sartomer's IT staff tasked with resolving critical helpdesk calls in less than four hours. Faced with different time zones, travel expenses associated with technicians going onsite to repair desktops that are not functioning properly, and being unable to add staff, Sartomer looked for a solution that would better utilize the centralized IT staff and allow for support of all necessary software applications. Neoware provided the complete server-based thin client appliance computing solution Sartomer needed.
Sartomer's IT system issues were similar to those in computing environments that server-based appliance computing solutions quickly and cost effectively remedy. Understanding this concept, Sartomer embraced server-based appliance computing. The first step involved the installation of a Citrix(r) MetaFrame(tm) server farm. After previous unsuccessful attempts with other vendors to implement a server-based system, Sartomer looked to Neoware due to the Company's expertise in server-based computing. Beginning on a trial basis to help solve one single issue, Neoware proved its technical competency in server-based computing and was retained to complete the implementation.
The next step for Sartomer was installing thin client appliances to replace existing PC desktops. In remote locations, the benefits were immediate: new applications and updates are loaded on the servers in Exton and made accessible to all facilities, users are prevented from modifying, loading, or deleting software, and troubleshooting no longer requires a member of the IT staff to travel to the location. With no moving parts that could be affected by dust or other airborne particles common in warehouse environments, thin client appliances are reliable and durable to meet the demands of the facilities' environments, making them an attractive alternative to PCs in Sartomer's chemical plants.
"We looked to Neoware for assistance during our Citrix implementation because they have the technical knowledge to support us," stated Robert Ripchinski, Sartomer's IT Manager. "They offered technical expertise and an action plan to complete our IT upgrade. In addition, we have found ongoing value in the local educational seminars and classes Neoware offers, helping us to get the most out of server-based appliance computing and Citrix."
About Neoware
Neoware provides software, services, and solutions to enable Appliance Computing, a new Internet-based computing architecture, targeted at business customers, that is designed to be simpler and easier than traditional PC-based computing. Neoware's software and management tools power and manage a new generation of smart computing appliances that utilize the benefits of open, industry-standard technologies to create new alternatives to personal computers and a wide variety of proprietary business devices. Neoware's products are designed to run local applications for specific vertical markets, plus allow access across a network to multi-user Windows servers, Linux servers, mainframes, minicomputers, and the Internet. Computing appliances that run and are managed by Neoware's software and services offer the cost benefits of industry-standard hardware and software, easier installation, and have lower up-front and administrative costs than proprietary or PC-based alternatives. More information about Neoware can be found on the Web at www.neoware.com or via email at info@neoware.com. Neoware is based in King of Prussia, PA.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the cost benefits and other advantages of the Company's products. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statements include Neoware's timely development and customers' acceptance of Neoware's appliance computing products, pricing pressures, rapid technological changes in the industry, growth of the appliance computing market, increased competition, Neoware's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, adverse changes in general economic conditions and risks associated with foreign operations. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Neoware's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.
Neoware and ezRemote Manager are registered trademarks of Neoware Systems, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Citrix(r) and MetaFrame(tm) are registered trademarks or trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other names, products, and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.