Screensurfer V3 Now Generally Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

-Screensurfer's leadership role in versatility and time-to-market now supplemented by additional front-end delivery capabilities and developer productivity-

Woburn, MA (April 12, 2001) - Screensurfer V3, a major function enriching release to the industry's leading host integration product is now generally available after a successful five month Beta program. Screensurfer V3 GA is now available from www.inventu.com as a free developer download.

Screensurfer, which debuted in 1997, is the leading HTML-based Web-to-host integration tool. Screensurfer offers fully automated "pass-through" HTML-based browser access to host screens, and facilitates the rapid deployment of new, enhanced and fully re-engineered front-ends.

The Highlights of the New Release Include:

• Visual Surfer: Identify and Navigate Wizard; enables rapid definition of screens to be enhanced, including full recording of navigation applicable to a robust, full-production implementation.
• Visual Surfer: Screen Object Wizard; building on the ID and Navigate Wizard, the Screen Object Wizard enables initial definition and ongoing maintenance of mapped data fields for both middleware applications and HTML-based front-end user interfaces.
• Visual Surfer: Visual Logic Editor; using a revolutionary pattern-driven code generation technology, the Visual Logic Editor enables business analysts to drag-and-drop logic components into a tree-based logic view. Property sheets enable initial and on-going customization of the logic components to enable instant and robust application construction and business rule implementation.
• Screen Change Alerts; the Screen Change Alert feature is a special timer-driven audit feature that automates the management of changes to the underlying screen-based applications. By visiting each screen that depends on correct data mapping, the Screen Change Alert feature can audit key data locations and alert site administrators using both conventional and pager-based e-mails.
• Full XML-over-HTTP server support; Screensurfer V3 adds a versatile, high-performance XML input parser and integrated XML response generator compatible with the existing co-server support for ColdFusion and Active Server Pages / COM applications.
• EJB (Enterprise Java Beans) support, in addition to existing integration with Microsoft ASP/COM and Macromedia ColdFusion developer tools, mean that Screensurfer offers high-performance host screen data to the widest possible range of electronic distribution channels, as well as natively to pure HTML;
• New Host Screen Access To UNIX, DEC VAX Data (via VT100/220 emulation), supplementing industry-leading access to IBM AS/400 and mainframe screen data (5250 and 3270 terminal types);
• New Remote Administration and Diagnostics, enabling secure, remote and interactive application monitoring, tracing, diagnostics and administration, during the development, deployment or production phases.

Mr. Bill Thorne, VP Products for Screensurfer, said:

"We're really excited about this new version of Screensurfer: our existing customers have always appreciated Screensurfer's functionality, versatility and performance. Now, we're adding not only new connectivity options (Java and XML) but also are opening-up the range of development options with the Visual Surfer tools. Experienced Web developers have found Screensurfer natural and intuitive for scripting new applications combining their HTML and JavaScript skills with existing screen-based applications. Now, with Visual Surfer any organization, large or small, can use Screensurfer to create new real-time, business-critical Web applications that benefit employees, customers, business partners and the public alike."

"Integrating complex host screens with modern front-end technologies such as the Web, XML and application servers for greater flexibility and value is challenging," said Darcy Fowkes, Research Director for the Internet Infrastructure Practice at Aberdeen Group, Inc. "Suppliers delivering solutions in this arena are competing for customers by playing both ends of the ease-of-use vs. functionality game. iE, with its professional services experience, understands how to productize a complicated engineering undertaking. Their new version of Screensurfer will provide IS organizations who are Web-enabling host screens, an out of the box, easy to use, friendly environment in which to build new applications."

About iE

iE (www.ie.com) is an international leader in complex mainframe integration and e-commerce tools. Since 1989, the company's integration products and advanced technology services have enabled clients, to deploy business-critical customer service applications. Starting in 1996, such systems have also been deployed via the Internet. From locations in Boston, MA, and London, England, the company distributes its products in 20 countries and has sold over 10,000 licenses worldwide. Founded in 1985, iE is a public company, quoted on the London Stock Exchange (AIM) as IEN.

Screensurfer provides secure, high-performance, screen-based access to a wide range of IBM, DEC, UNIX and other terminal-based host systems, with fast time-to-market. It is a highly scalable solution that now offers unparalleled integration with pure applet-free HTML, all popular Application Servers including Microsoft ASP/MTS, IBM's WebSphere and Macromedia's ColdFusion. Screensurfer invariably is the quickest and most economical means for implementing feature-rich Web-to-host solutions. Screensurfer is used by global leaders such as Merrill Lynch, Johnson & Johnson, MasterCard, Verizon, AT&T, Wells Fargo and Towers Perrin.

For more information, contact Inventu Sales at (888) 352-8403 x706, by fax at (781) 791-9586, email sales@inventu.com, or visit the company's Web site at www.inventu.com

Screensurfer is a trademark of iE. All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.