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For Immediate Release:

   SoftArc Releases Version 2.6 of FirstClass; 
     Leading Groupware Now Offers Direct
   TCP/IP Support & PowerPC Compliance

        Q New Version of Multiprotocol FirstClass Server Accepts IPX,
AppleTalk,
                       Asynchronous Connections and TCP/IP Simultaneously Q

MARKHAM, Ontario Q SoftArc Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of
enterprise-wide, cross-platform group communication software, today released
FirstClass version 2.6.  The multiprotocol groupware system now incorporates
direct support for the popular Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) networking protocol.  Users of SoftArcUs FirstClass client
software on Windows PCs or Macintoshes may now make TCP/IP connections to
FirstClass servers with minimal setup.  In addition, the FirstClass server
for Macintosh is now PowerPC-compatible.

Once configured with the FirstClass TCP/IP option, the FirstClass 2.6 server
for Macintosh recognizes TCP/IP logins by FirstClass 2.6 clients.  Direct
support of TCP/IP allows users on TCP/IP networks to connect to FirstClass
servers with ease, while also allowing effortless access to FirstClass
servers Q or even server-to-server connections Q through the global Internet.

Users of the FirstClass client for Macintosh must run AppleUs MacTCP
extension in order to make connections on a TCP network.  Similarly, users of
the FirstClass client for Windows must have Windows configured with a Windows
Sockets-compliant TCP stack.  No other software is required to make Internet
connections.

ROur new multiplatform TCP/IP support will make FirstClass a popular way to
offer content on the Internet,S said SoftArcUs president, Steven Asbury. 
RThe ease-of-use and interface customization that have made FirstClass the
world's best-selling groupware can now be taken advantage of by users
anywhere with an Internet connection.  Not only are the FirstClass clients
freely distributable, but we have made it easy and inexpensive for server
sites to acommodate large numbers of Internet users.S

While regular FirstClass users may connect via TCP/IP over regular network
sessions, SoftArc's second-tier user licenses Q remote users Q may also
connect over TCP/IP with appropriate remote port licensing from SoftArc.

Other enhancements in FirstClass 2.6 allow sites running servers on Power
Macintoshes to enable the PowerPC Modern Memory Manager.  FirstClass 2.6
offers speed improvements when taking advantage of improved PowerPC memory
management.

Updates to the FirstClass 2.6 server and client are free to registered users;
the TCP/IP Protocol Module, installed on the FirstClass 2.6 server to enable
TCP/IP logins, is now available for $995.  A Four Modem Port Upgrade boosting
simultaneous remote connections over TCP/IP is available for $395.  Multiple
port upgrade licenses may be installed on FirstClass servers.

FirstClass 2.6 clients for Macintosh and Windows may be downloaded from
SoftArc Online, SoftArc's public FirstClass system (905-415-7070), Compuserve
or SoftArc's company support area on America Online (AOL keyword "SoftArc".) 
In keeping with the company's policy of free product upgrades, registered
owners may download the latest commercial FirstClass server software from
SoftArc.  An optional server upgrade package with new diskettes and
supplementary documentation is available for $95.

FirstClass is the leading cross-platform, enterprise-wide group communication
system with 2.5 million user licenses sold worldwide.  FirstClass integrates
state-of-the-art e-mail with group conferencing, access to existing corporate
databases, forms processing, real-time discussions and on-line communications
functions.  FirstClass offers the same ease of use, functionality and robust
performance over network or modem, and operates in Macintosh, Windows DOS,
OS/2 and terminal emulation environments.  The product is available in 12
languages and is used by businesses, educational institutions, governments
and private individuals in more than 30 countries.  The Company is
headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada.

______________________________________________________

Virtual Valley Inc. is a reseller of FirstClass products. For further
information, call 408 777-8700 or email online@livewire.com. 

FirstClass is a registered trademark of SoftArc Inc.  All other trade names
referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companiesn
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