3Com Corporation Acquires Lanworks Technologies, Inc.;
Adds to 3Com's Managed PC Solution Expertise
Business Wire - March 19, 1998 12:16
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 1998--3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS), a global leader in network
connectivity, today announced it acquired Lanworks Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of PC network boot technologies and
products, which are critical components of a complete desktop management environment.
This acquisition significantly increases 3Com's ability to design and deliver network interface cards (NICs) that bring "managed PC"
functionality to both existing and new personal computers. Lanworks Technologies' BootWare(tm) family of products, installed on
more than two million workstations worldwide, includes client-side boot firmware and software, and server-side boot services and
management applications.
By enabling information system staff to automate initial PC configuration, operating system upgrades and disaster recovery
Lanworks' network boot technology helps companies reduce the total cost of PC ownership by reducing user downtime, and
increasing productivity.
The transaction, valued at $13 million, will be accounted as a purchase. 3Com will incur a charge of approximately $8.4 million for
purchased in-process technology associated with the acquisition in the fourth quarter of fGl 1UQ&~]Z[X,-XnV
[6$X,.]Z.m:ZK+H([7Hk RnY,.YYH:o materially impact 3Com's fiscal 1998 results.
"Lanworks Technology has been 3Com's strategic partner in making personal computers more manageable and less expensive to
own for the past several years," said Doug Spreng, executive vice president of 3Com Client Access, Interface Products Group.
"Together we are creating a new category of product that lets IS staff more efficiently manage, update and support networked PCs.
3Com's PC OEM and enterprise customers worldwide will benefit from our world-class technology and managed PC solutions."
3Com and Lanworks Deliver Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA)
Announced in November 1997, 3Com MBA firmware, developed by Lanworks, supports a rich set of important new and existing
boot protocols for enhanced remote PC management configuration. Major computer manufacturers, such as Gateway 2000, have
adopted this technology and now include MBA with their PC and network interface products.
"The ability to awaken, monitor and update clients remotely is the essence of Gateway's 'down-the-wire' approach to enterprise
management," said Jim Collas, senior vice president of Gateway 2000's Global Products Organization. "The combined expertise of
3Com and Lanworks is certain to help desktop management evolve to the next level."
The MBA firmware supports most major boot protocols including BootP, DHCP, RPL, NetWare NCP, and the new PXE boot
protocol defined in the Net PC specification. With MBA firmware available on a PC, a complete range of administrative tasks can be
performed from a centralized station without changes to the infrastructure.
Available in a number of formats, MBA firmware can be integrated into the NIC; embedded in system BIOS for motherboards;
shipped as a field upgradable ROM chip for upgrading existing 3Com(R) NICs with a ROM socket; or delivered as a flash upgrade
for existing ROM-chip users.
Key MBA firmware features include:
-- Complete control and policy management of PC software
configuration;
-- Ability to boot PC from centralized boot server;
-- No user intervention needed to bring misconfigured PC back to
life;
-- Comparison of desktop profiles to a central file to ensure each
desktop is optimally configured;
-- Remote maintenance including the installation of the most current
licensed copy of application and system software.
"Lanworks pioneered the use of network boot technology to give IS managers the necessary tools to manage users' PC desktops cost
effectively," said George Kostiuk, founder and president of Lanworks. "Lanworks has created and refined a complete Managed Boot
Framework, including the MBA firmware, management applications, and a rich set of application programming interfaces and
services for desktop management vendors. By combining with 3Com, we can extend our reach and bring this rich set of capabilities
to IS organizations and PC OEMs worldwide."
About Lanworks
Lanworks Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Toronto, was founded in 1986. Lanworks currently ships boot firmware supporting
virtually all major NICs in the industry. Following the acquisition, 3Com intends to continue to deliver boot firmware for non-3Com
NICs to ensure MBA technology can be pervasively deployed. Most of Lanworks' 30 employees will join 3Com's Architecture and
Software Operation (ASO) within the Client Access Business Unit. George Kostiuk will join ASO as Senior Director of Engineering
and Managed PC Architect.
About 3Com
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at anytime
from anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered
networking solutions to more than 100 million customers worldwide. The company provides enterprises, network services providers,
carriers, small businesses and consumers comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building
intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at
3com.com or the press site at http//www.3Com.com/pressbox.
Note to Editors: BootWare is a trademark of Lanworks Technologies, Inc. 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation.
CONTACT: 3Com
Shirley Stacy, 408/764-6301 (Investor Relations)
Shirley_Stacy@3Com.com
Leslie Davis, 408/764-7187 (Public Relations)
Leslie_Davis@3Com.com
Brian D. Johnson, 408/326-1962 (Public Relations)
Brian_D_Johnson@3Com.com
I really liked the ".....fourth quarter of fGl 1UQ&~]Z[X,-XnV
[6$X,.]Z.m:ZK+H([7Hk RnY,.YYH:o materially impact 3Com's
fiscal 1998 results." part.<g>
o~~~ O |
