HDS Network Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:HDSX) announced Monday that it has received a $1.5 million order to supply Network Computers and related services to the U.S. Forest Service.

All of the equipment and services ordered are scheduled to ship within the current and next fiscal quarters.

The U.S. Forest Service is deploying the HDS Network Computers for geographic information system requirements nationwide, along with supporting administrative, scientific and technical needs including office automation, software development, and management information.

"We're pleased that the U.S. Forest Service is deploying our equipment in such large numbers," said Edward C. Callahan Jr., president and CEO of HDS Network Systems. "This order demonstrates the momentum that is building in our industry as organizations worldwide move to thin clients for significant deployments.

"Large NC deliveries like this also indicate HDS Network Systems' leadership position in the thin client market. Unlike many companies in our industry, we're not simply talking about Network Computers - we're actually delivering them in volume."

HDS's Network Computers are designed for business environments as easy-to-install and easy-to-administer alternatives to the personal computer. According to the Gartner Group, a Network Computer can save up to 39% of the cost of ownership of a PC, or approximately $17,000 over five years.

Using these numbers, an organization can save $1.7 million for every 100 desktops by deploying NCs instead of PCs.

HDS has been first-to-market with virtually every new technology in the Network Computer industry because of the standards-based, open design of the HDS netOS operating system, which is the bases of HDS's Network Computer line.

HDS was first to add Java, the Navigator and Spyglass web browsers, email, video-conferencing, the ICA protocol, a full suite of terminal emulators and Windows CIFS (Common Internet File System) protocol. Many of these capabilities were added to the HDS @workStation in a matter of weeks, while competitors have yet to offer them.

HDS considers the ability to quickly add capabilities to its products to be a major competitive advantage in the fast-moving Internet market, and plans to use this advantage to continue to maintain its lead in the NC market.

HDS netOS, the operating system in the @workStation NC, is offered under license to OEMs for quick and easy deployment of application-specific Network Computers for a variety of markets.

HDS Network Systems, of King of Prussia, is a leading international supplier of Network Computers and related software which are cost-effective solutions for the integration and delivery of information and applications to the desktop.

The company's netOS operating system is based on an open architecture, incorporating industry standards to enable seamless access to multiple forms of information, including text, graphics, audio and video, on any type of network.