Screensurfer V3 Announcement

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 (October 23, 2000) - Screensurfer V3, a major function enriching release to the industry's highest success rate host integration product that excels in expediting the roll-out of browser-enabled legacy applications has been launched at the AS/400 Common User Group in Baltimore, MD. Screensurfer V3 will be available for download from www.inventu.com, November 16, 2000 as a free developer download.

Screensurfer, which debuted in 1997, is the leading HTML-based Web-to-host integration tool. Screensurfer has the highest success rate in the industry: 90% of developers who evaluate Screensurfer use it for production and its revenue base is doubling year-on-year. 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:

• All new visual wizard-based development environment, which removes the need for scripting or programming, based around sophisticated point-and-click browser screens and template technology; which automate access to host screens and the generation of table-formatted HTML from host-screen data;
• New Front-End Technologies Such as XML and EJB (Enterprise Java Beans), in addition to existing integration with Microsoft ASP/COM and Allaire 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 Screen Change Alerts Facility, which enables e-mail based alerts to development staff should any screen field characteristics (such as position) change in a way that would affect existing scripts.
• 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 Allaire'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.