KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Feb. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Neoware Systems (Nasdaq:NWRE), the leading supplier of award-winning software, services and thin client appliances, today announced that the University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Care System has standardized on Neoware's thin client appliances. UNC Health Care System is replacing an aging network of PCs with Neoware thin client appliances and software at nurses' stations, emergency rooms, patient care areas, clinics and doctor's offices throughout the health care system, which serves Chapel Hill and the surrounding communities. The decision to deploy Neoware thin client appliances was made after an initial implementation throughout the System's emergency rooms that proved to be a cost-effective strategy for delivering an extremely reliable technology solution that freed hospital technicians and care givers from the challenges of administering a large, distributed network of personal computers.
"Thin client appliances allow our health care professionals to focus more time and resources on patient care rather than technology," says Art Duncan, Manager, End User Services for UNC Health Care System. "With PCs, our health care staff was constantly contending with technology downtime and requesting tech support help. The ease-of-use and centralized administration of Neoware thin client appliances allow us to better serve our patients. At the same time, we're saving money and supporting our nurses and doctors with an advanced and secure computing solution."
In addition to the lower upfront costs of thin clients, the longer useful lifespan and reduced administration cost allow UNC Health Care System to contain costs now and well into the future, while providing the security required by the federally mandated HIPAA standards for protecting patient privacy.
"Health care is a tough environment for computing workstations, complicated by constant demand from multiple users," says Duncan. "The expectation is 100% reliability. Neoware thin client appliances have no moving parts to break down and our ability to control the desktop from a centralized administrator provides a consistent user experience, increasing software reliability and eliminating confusion. At the same time, the 'always-on' functionality of Neoware's thin client appliances means that doctors and nurses are just keystrokes away from lifesaving information."
"Innovative healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to Neoware thin client appliances to increase security, enhance reliability, and to save money," stated Michael Kantrowitz, Chairman and CEO of Neoware Systems, "UNC Health Care System's decision to standardize on Neoware thin client appliances and software came after careful review of the inherent benefits of thin client computing. We're pleased to meet the needs of this world-class health care provider, helping them to control costs while simultaneously improving the quality of care."
UNC Health Care System purchased Neoware's thin client appliances through IBM, which sells Neoware products as part of a strategic sales and marketing alliance between the two companies. IBM customers can purchase Neoware products from IBM directly or from IBM Business Partners, gaining the benefits of Neoware's products at the same time that they purchase other IBM hardware, software and services.
About Neoware
Neoware provides software, services, and solutions to enable Appliance Computing, a proven 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 used in business 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 offer the cost benefits of industry-standard hardware and software, easier installation, and have lower up-front, maintenance, and administrative costs than proprietary or PC-based alternatives.
More information about Neoware can be found on the Web at http://www.neoware.com or via email at invest@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: University of North Carolina Health Care System's plans to deploy our thin client appliances; our position as the leading supplier of software, products, services and solutions for the Appliance Computing market; and the benefits of our software-focused business model allowing customers to lower ongoing costs of ownership. 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 statement include University of North Carolina Health Care System's acceptance of our thin client products, pricing pressures, rapid technological changes in the industry, growth of the Appliance Computing market, increased competition, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, adverse changes in general economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally and political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events. 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, 2003 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
Neoware is a registered trademark of Neoware Systems, Inc. All other names products and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.