that's ok <ggg>. SFLK released news of delayed financials due to SEC inquiry, be careful
Softlink, Inc. Explains Delay In Release of [.20281]
Revised 1999 Financial Projections
Business Editors
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(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.
--30--slt/sf*
CONTACT: International Buying Power
Terry Ritchie, 561/482-0004
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED EARNINGS
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Feb-08-1999 10:59 GMT
Symbols:
US;SFLK
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