Softshare Announces Vista for Integrated Desktop Electronic Commerce

SANTA BARBARA, CA. - Sep 5, 1997 - Softshare today unveiled Softshare Vista, its newest software product which is the first electronic commerce application to integrate the Web, email and EDI at the computer desktop level. In its initial release, Vista will support secure email, the ANSI X12 and UN/EDIFACT EDI standards, rich email content, and integration with the Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for cutting edge Web access.

"Softshare sees a new business environment emerging where commerce is conducted through numerous means of information exchange" states Frank Gott, President of Softshare. "A complete solution will have to blend traditional means of business automation such as EDI and email with the rapidly maturing technologies such as the World Wide Web, content-push and public-key infrastructure."

Softshare Vista presents the user with a mailbox system that has the familiar look of windows-based email applications such as MS Outlook. Email and EDI documents can coexist in Vista's messaging system and the application allows for document management at both levels.

Vista creates a complete mail environment using traditional mail-management functions such as sorting of new mail into various folders, automatic reply, and forward and deletion options. To provide the requisite security for business applications, all messaging can be protected with the Secure MIME standard.

Vista provides a robust environment for the exchange of EDI documents. Since the mail user interface understands native EDI standards, there is a seamless integration of email and EDI. Vista offers the user a complete document tracking system that allows for bi-directional monitoring of unacknowledged documents at the syntax level and more importantly, at the business level. In addition to system-wide reporting, the EDI engine in Vista features alerting and automated document handling upon arrival, transmission or deletion within the desktop environment. Both the tracking system and the event system can filter by trading partner, organization, document type, related documents, or document reference values such as contract or invoice numbers. Vista supports the X12.58 security structures to give the privacy and authentication necessary in a secure EDI environment.

The Softshare Vista application is designed for use with current and future generations of Microsoft Windows products including Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0. Softshare Vista will ship with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 to provide integrated support for HTML, Web access and security modules.

Availability
Vista will be entering formal beta testing in October and is planned to ship in volume in November 1997.

About Softshare
Since it's founding in 1984, Softshare has proven itself a leader in the government procurement arena. Softshare was one of only six networks to participate in the federal government's pilot EDI program, GATEC, which was initiated in 1992. In 1994, Softshare was one of the first VANs to operate under the preliminary FACNET certification. Recognizing the need for a single source solution that combined easy-to-use software with an integrated network, Softshare was the first VAN to introduce Windows-based EDI translation software, called Link for Windows™ , that offers preprogrammed government overlays in addition to integrated network services. Today, Softshare combines all of these advances into one comprehensive program that offers both government and commercial EDI services through one software package and one network connection.