Micro Tempus Offers First True Cross-Platform Connectivity Solution
A Framework for Integrating Distributed, Multi-Vendor Networks

MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada - Micro Tempus Inc. today announced Tempus
Connectivity Solutions (TCS), a distributed architecture platform for
connecting disparate PC local area networks (LANs), mainframes and mini
computers into a unified wide area network (WAN). TCS provides for file-
and resource-sharing between users, as well as high-level data security.

TCS is a peer-to-peer technology that is based on Advanced
Program-to-Program Communications (APPC) and on Advanced Peer-to-Peer
Networking (APPN). It is designed for medium to large-size corporations
requiring WAN installations due to geographically dispersed offices,
multi-vendor LANs, mainframes and operating environments. TCS currently
supports DOS/Windows, OS/2, NetWare and MVS/VTAM. A future release will
support Windows NT and UNIX.

"Growing companies have discovered that integrating a multi-vendor
collection of LANs, PCs, minis and mainframes can be a complicated task.
For instance, PCs run different operating systems, LANs use different
transport protocols and file systems that are fundamentally incompatible,"
said Mario Bonin, director of research and development for Micro Tempus.
"In the past, corporate-wide connectivity often meant sacrificing hardware
and software installations to achieve a homogenous environment. TCS is a
network- and operating system-independent set of services that fully
integrates disparate PCs, LANs and MVS mainframes into an enterprise-wide.
WAN environment. It provides for full access of centralized and
distributed data across a network, in a manner that is easy to use and
transparent to the user."

For the End User: Access to Files, Regardless of Location

TCS's file management capabilities permit transparent access to files from
any workstation in the network, regardless of the platform. With TCS, end
users can access and transfer files on a network-wide basis, without
regard to the files' native environment. A Windows-compliant graphical
user interface (GUI) allows networked users to manage files (i.e., copy,
rename and browse file lists). Users can now drag-and-drop single files or
groups of files between platforms. Files can be accessed from a local hard
drive or from a LAN drive and be transferred anywhere on the network.

Once text files have been dragged-and-dropped to another platform, TCS
converts them into a readable format "on the fly" for example, PC to
mainframe so they can be read by the user. In addition, timed transfers of
individual or grouped files also can be arranged to take place unattended,
such as at night when discount rates apply.

For Network Administrators: Functionality for WAN Administration

For network administrators, TCS provides a full range of features that make
it possible to manage and secure network resources. For instance, network
administrators can manage the network topology and limit access of
resources to specific users and user groups. A future release will
restrict file transfers to file size and specific time slots.

TCS provides centralized or distributed file storage via a hierarchical
PC-style file system for the MVS mainframe. Designed for performance,
capacity, and concurrent access, MDAM (Mainframe Disk Access Method)
supports modern hierarchical file organizations found in Windows and OS/2.
UNIX and Windows NT will be supported in a future release.

TCS enforces its own security controls, in addition to acknowledging
pre-existing PC LAN and mainframe security controls, for a multi-tiered
security approach. Administration managers can assign access privileges to
end users and user groups, and also assign individual user passwords.
Network log-on and resource access security also is enforced.

The TCS platform is customizable to fit the particular needs of companies,
and also can be built upon to develop a range of custom distributed or
client-server solutions. A Software Developer's Kit (SDK) is available to
create custom applications using languages such as Visual Basic and C++.
The SDK consists of four Application Program Interfaces (APIs).

The TCS SDK also comes with a range of ready-to-use sample applications,
including a file back-up utility and a conference call program that allows
multiple users to hold party-line conversations over the TCS network.
Source code for the sample applications are provided in both Visual Basic
and C so they can be used as a basis for building other TCS applications.

System Requirements and Company Information

To be connected to the TCS network, a PC must run the TCS Workstation
program. PCs to be used as TCS workstations must be at least an 80386
processor, Windows 3.1 or higher, OS/2 2.0 or higher. In addition, one PC
on each LAN on the network must be equipped to serve as the TCS Node that
coordinates inter-LAN communication. In addition to the same requirements
as TCS Workstation PCs, the TCS Node must run communications software that
supports APPN such as IBM CM/2 or CM Extended Services, DCA IRMA
Workstation for OS/2 or DCA Select Communication Server. Netware for SAA
2.0 will be supported in a future release.

TCS uses the LAN transport layer (SPX or Net BIOS) to transfer data between
the TCS Workstations and the TCS Node. Some of the LANs supported by TCS
include Novell NetWare, IBM LAN Server, and Microsoft LAN Manager. TCS
supports the LU 6.2 communication protocol, including LU 6.2 over SDLC,
X.25, Token-Ring, LAN DLC.

The TCS network requires a mainframe to host the TCS Directory, the object
database that contains the network topology information. TCS is currently
compatible with the following mainframe operating systems: MVS/XA and
MVS/ESA.

TCS can access Tempus-Link and Tempus-Share virtual disk applications
developed by Micro Tempus. Tempus-Link provides PC users with access to
mainframe data through virtual disks created on the mainframe.
Tempus-Share allows MIS to implement and manage file server capabilities
under VTAM for standalone and networked PCs.

Micro Tempus Inc. designs and markets software that facilitates
micro-to-mainframe communication and promotes multi-platform
interconnectivity. Founded in 1982, the company has developed a solid
client base of large corporations and Fortune 500 contenders within a
broad range of commercial, industrial, financial and technical
applications. The company manages operations in Canada, the U.S., Germany
and France, and sells its products through a network of qualified
distributors throughout North America, South America and Europe.

For more information on Micro Tempus or Tempus Connectivity Solutions
(TCS), contact the company at:

28202 Cabot Road, Suite 300
Laguna Niguel, California, USA 92677.
800/583-0803 (phone),
714/365-5625 (phone),
714/365-5725 (fax).
 
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