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i-Planet, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of PonyEspresso, the world's first secure, Java™-based software solution designed specifically for email access by corporate remote users. For the first time, corporate users can access their email remotely and securely through any Java- enabled browser attached to the Internet -- from their own laptop, an Internet cafe thin client, or even an Internet kiosk located in a public venue.

"Without any client software, other than a browser, our 5,000 remote users have encrypted access to the email server while being properly authenticated and passing through our firewall," said Angela Hung, Connectivity Architect Manager of Sun Microsystems and beta customer since June 1997. "PonyEspresso provides tremendous savings in terms of time, worry, and money."

Eliminates Security and Support Worry

Internet-based remote access via PonyEspresso solves the paramount security problem that Fortune 500 companies have when they allow roaming users to access their email over the Internet. i-Planet's Mochila™ technology simplifies the complex task of maintaining security while allowing remote users to access the corporate network. This is achieved without the use of tunneling software and, instead, leverages Netscape's de facto standard secure socket layer (SSL) to allow email to pass securely and transparently through the Web server.

Because PonyEspresso is a 100 percent certified Pure Java applet, it can run on any Java-compatible system. Thus, no matter what kind of system a user has access to, be it Mac, Windows, or Unix, secure access to the corporate email server is enabled without installing or configuring any software.

"Zero Learning Curve"

PonyEspresso runs on all major operating systems and takes less than five minutes to install on any IMAP-compatible email server. Also, PonyEspresso eliminates client-side configurations, increasing the productivity of remote users and minimizing support issues.

Unlike Web-based email clients, the user interface is dynamic and communicates with the server in real-time. The easy-to-use client interface features a full array of standard mail functions, including mail forward, reply to, attach file(s), folders management, and user preferences, which are stored on the server.

Optimized for Remote Access

PonyEspresso enables users to view email message headers first so they can select which message to download to avoid retrieving any large or unimportant messages or attachments that might tie up the line and limit productivity. Attachments are forwarded from the server, not the applet, drastically reducing transmission time for large files.

In addition, the Java applet is extraordinarily compact in size, reducing the time needed online. On a 28.8Kbps link, the download takes approximately 25 seconds.

Pricing and Availability

PonyEspresso is available immediately worldwide. The price begins at $795 for 1 to 10 users, $1,995 for 11-50 users, and $2,995 for an unlimited number of users per server.

About i-Planet

i-Planet was formed in January 1996 by a group of Silicon Valley networking veterans with the goal of allowing businesses of all sizes to increase their productivity and decrease costs using the Internet. i-Planet's products offer companies unique ways to ensure a positive return on their Internet investment. Distributors of i-Planet products include Ingram Micro, Central House Technologies, Sony Systems Design, Sumitomo Electric, Insung TSS and several others worldwide. For more information on i-Planet, its services and its products, call 408-745-1500, send e-mail to info@i-planet.com, or visit the home page at http://www.i-planet.com.

Source: i-Planet, Inc.