For Example-> Softlink, Inc. Explains Delay In Release of Revised 1999 Financial Projections
Story Filed: Monday, February 08, 1999 06:46 PM EST
SANTA CLARA, CALIF. (Feb. 8) BUSINESS WIRE -Feb. 8, 1999--Softlink, Inc. (OTC BB:SFLK), originally planned to release an upward revision of its 1999 financial projections on February 3, but has determined to delay that release on advice of its legal counsel in response to an informal inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the Company's public statements about its current business prospects, projections relating to the future of the Company's business as well as recent positive market price and volume movements in the Company's common stock.
Softlink, Inc. intends to cooperate in the Commission's inquiry, and its advisors are now preparing to respond to the Commission's request for information and documents substantiating Softlink's public statements. The Company has not been advised by the Commission of any formal investigation relating to this or any other issue, and does not believe that its business will be in any way impacted by the Commission's informal inquiry. Softlink, Inc., as always, will continue to report new business developments and past results as they occur.
Due to the large number of requests for information relating to Softlink, it's products and marketing strategy, the Company has compiled the following list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) in response to these inquiries. 1. Who is Softlink?
Softlink is a Silicon Valley-based software development company founded in 1996 with the mission of setting a new standard for multimedia and Internet communication -- finding broad new applications for revolutionary voice and graphics compression and composition functionality. 2. How would you characterize Softlink's management?
Softlink's management team is a combination of technologists at the peak of their careers, plus senior operations, marketing and sales management. With combined industry experience of 70+ years, senior management balances technology innovation with seasoned business leadership. 3. What is the potential market for Softlink's technology?
The market for Softlink's technology is the ever-expanding number of e-mail-capable, multimedia computer users. 4. What is the essence of Softlink's core technology?
Softlink technology addresses this major problem: that the existing data compression used under the MIME standard for virtually all file attachments is not optimized for e-mail. The solution is twofold: involving compression as well as composition technology. A typical wave file of one minute may require 960K, whereas the Softlink file of the same duration requires as little as 80K. The MIME standard for video files using MPEG is analogous: the typical one minute AVI file may require 12,000K compared to the Softlink file of the same duration which requires as little as 200K. Softlink's composition technology, on the other hand, enables it to seamlessly synchronize voice, annotation, graphics, and text components into a single file to provide true multimedia functionality. 5. How long have the Company's products been commercially available?
Softlink's products -- first launched at Comdex in 1997 -- are E-mail VoiceLink and E-Mail PossaLink (formerly PowerLink) -- both are based on the Company's core compression and composition technology. 6. What do the products actually do?
E-Mail VoiceLink literally gives e-mail a whole new voice -- allowing users to record and send voice messages in place of conventional text. If regular e-mail is like reading sheet music for a song, VoiceLink allows users to actually sing and listen to the song; E-Mail PossaLink builds on this voice capability by adding a sophisticated whiteboard functionality so users can record and send a whole integrated presentation via e-mail, complete with annotation, graphics, text and ones own voice. If a regular presentation is like reading a book, PowerLink lets users watch the movie. 7. Have industry reviews of Softlink's products been positive?
In August 1997, PowerLink was given a "Four-Star" Editor's Pick Award by Ziff-Davis' ZD Net Magazine. PC Magazine reviewed PowerLink as "multimedia e-mail for business users," and InfoWorld described PowerLink as an "effective way to make announcements, presentations and start interactive discussions." Internet Magazine of Japan said: "PowerLink is the best e-mail software among the multimedia enabled e-mail software products offered in the market." PC Work said, "it is really easy to use, it is a good buy, and its compression ratio is exceptionally high". PC Fan of Japan said "No hassle creating an e-mail
-- it's just as easy as using a word processor." 8. Is Softlink's
software compatible with existing e-mail and presentation programs?
Softlink's on-going product development process provides regular enhancement of the software's performance and compatibility; E-Mail VoiceLink works with all major e-mail programs on the market; and the new release of E-Mail PossaLink will be Microsoft PowerPoint compatible. In addition, Softlink is currently developing Active X and Macintosh compatible versions of its software, as well as plug-ins for popular web browsers. 9. What is Softlink's marketing strategy?
The Company is aggressively pursuing three marketing channels: retail distribution in stores, on-line and on television; bundling with computers and component hardware; and incorporation as enhancements to products and services -- both on-line, notably in on-line dating and gaming arenas, and in the emerging multimedia database environment. 10. How well established is Softlink's retail base?
In the retail arena, Ingram Micro, one of the world's leading software distributors, currently distributes Softlink's products in North America in more than 600 stores including Fry's Electronics, Electronic Boutique, and Microcenters. Softbank, Japan's largest software distributor, distributes Softlink's products in the Japanese market. In Japan, Softlink's products are among the top six sellers in the Retail Productivity category, a category that includes offerings from Symantec and other notable software firms. VoiceLink has been featured several times on QVC, the world's premier electronic retailer. Softlink has also established new on-line distribution agreements with ISPs in Europe and Latin America (Prima and World Online are the largest ISPs in Argentina and the Netherlands, respectively), with additional ISP distribution contracts currently being negotiated, both in the U.S. and internationally. 11. Where is Softlink's software being bundled?
Bundling agreements represent an important market expansion for the Company, as Softlink's products are now being sold in the OEM as well as the retail market. Softlink views this trend as an important industry endorsement of the Company's technology as a new standard for Internet communication. The recent bundling agreement with TDK, the external modem card sales leader in the Japanese market, is the first of several such agreements to be announced. 12. How is Softlink's technology being integrated into other products and services?
Both the multimedia communication product and service markets have embraced Softlink's technology. This trend is exemplified by the incorporation of the Company's audio compression technology into NIC's new multimedia database products and by adding voice capability to on-line dating services like that of 2 million member strong Matchmaker.com. Discussions are also ongoing with a major game developer, under contract with two recognized game manufacturers, regarding the incorporation of Softlink's voice technology into a new generation of on-line video games. 13. What other applications of Softlink's technology are on the horizon?
With the rapid evolution of Internet communication it is difficult to concretely anticipate which sectors of the market will next integrate this new enabling technology. That said, in the same way that extensive utilization of the telephone made voicemail both possible and popular, the Company believes that today e-mail makes possible the extensive use of voice and multimedia e-mail. Moreover, the Internet as a medium for conducting business is still in its formative phase, with the most effective means of communication yet to be determined. 14. Will Softlink be involved in the growth of e-commerce over the Internet?
Softlink believes that for the Internet to reach its full potential as a business forum, a cost-effective and more natural communication standard must be established. This opens many new opportunities for the application of Softlink's technologies as efficient, flexible Internet business tools for sales promotion, customer service, and corporate communication.
For more information about Softlink, visit the Company web site at sonk.com. You may also request further information via e-mail at info@sonk.com, or contact Terry Ritchie at International Buying Power at 561/482-0004.
Certain matters discussed within this press release may be forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are inherently uncertain, and actual results and activities may differ materially from those estimated or projected. Although the Company believes the expectation reflected in any forward looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be attained. The Company has no obligation to update the statements contained in this report or to take action that is described herein or otherwise presently planned.
CONTACT: International Buying Power
Terry Ritchie, 561/482-0004
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED EARNINGS
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