newsbytes@clarinet.com (02/04/90)
WEYBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1990 FEB 03 (NB) -- Wordperfect UK has announced that the next version of Wordperfect Office - version 3.0 - will include support for local and wide area networks when it ships in the second quarter of 1990. In parallel with the new PC version, a version for the Apple Macintosh, is being readied for a second quarter launch. David Godwin, Wordperfect UK's marketing manager, said that Wordperfect Office 3.0 will include wide area network (WAN) support to extend the e-mail, calendar and scheduling services of the package across networks. "Wordperfect Office is being developed to offer greatly enhanced connectivity. User will be able to send messages to other users on different office LANs, remote users will be able to dial into the network, and messages will be sent between PCs and Macintosh computers," he said. Wordperfect Office 3.0 will also offer gateway support for the Novell MHS (message handing system - X.400) gateway. Using the Office 3.0, users will be able to exchange messages with a variety of different commercial e-mail networks, including Compuserve, Disoss, MCI Mail, Profs and VAX/VMS systems. Telex and fax messaging support is also included in the package. Two versions of Wordperfect Office for the PC are planned: Wordperfect Office PC and Wordperfect Office LAN. Wordperfect Office PC, the standalone package, will retail for UKP 99, and replace Wordperfect Library. The package will include enhanced versions of WP Office's modules - calculator, calendar, file manager, macro editor and shell - and be licensed to run on a standalone PC or as a network station package. Wordperfect Office LAN will support all the features of Wordperfect Office PC, as well as what Wordperfect calls 'workgroup software.' This includes e-mail, calendar and scheduling functions. The package will sell for UKP 425 for the network server, and UKP 155 for network workstation versions. Precise details of Wordperfect Office for the Mac have yet to be finalized. It is expected that the package will support all the features of the PC and LAN editions, introducing a common file format to allow Wordperfect files to be exchanged between Macs, PCs and e-mail systems on a transparent basis. (Steve Gold/19900203/Press & Public Contact: David Godwin, marketing manager, Wordperfect UK - Tel: 0932-850850)