Central Point Ships PC Tools for Windows 
The Ultimate Windows Desktop Is Here, Say Early Reviewers

BEAVERTON, Ore.--March 15,1993--Central Point Software, Inc. today began
shipping PC Tools for Windows, bringing enhanced productivity, protection
and performance to the Microsoft Windows graphical environment. Referred
to by an early reviewer as "the ultimate desktop," PC Tools for Windows is
a fundamental extension to the operating environment, making Windows
easier to use.

"I really like the multiple-desktop capability of PC Tools for Windows and
had no idea how useful this type of feature would be until I started using
it. Now I'm hooked," said Craig Teahan, microcomputer manager at Akzo
Coatings. "The product as a whole seems rock solid and, overall, has a lot
more to offer me than Norton Desktop, for example."

PC Tools for Windows includes 14 separate modules that together provide
Windows users with a more natural way to work the way they want to within
Windows. The product's key features include:

* MultiDesk. Organizes work and simplifies file access 
* File Manager. Manages data easier and faster
* WinShield. Protects Windows data completely and automatically
  and includes the only Windows-based disk repair tool currently
  available
* Optimizer. Uniquely optimizes hard disk drives from within
  Windows 
* System Consultant. Analyzes and suggests peak performance
  configuration 

In addition, PC Tools for Windows provides wide-ranging network support,
including compatibility with Novell NetWare and Microsoft Windows for
Workgroups.

"Windows provides a solid multitasking graphical foundation, but it wasn't
designed to integrate files and applications consistent with the way
people work," said Chuck Boesenberg, president and CEO of Central Point.
"PC Tools for Windows directly increases productivity and adds protection
with a minimum of hassles. The bottom line is that PC Tools for Windows
contains everything users need to make their systems work for them."

As part of the development of PC Tools for Windows, Central Point surveyed
Windows users, including users of The Norton Desktop for Windows and other
Windows shell substitutes, to better understand both the appeal and flaws
of these products. In addition, the company conducted more than 300
corporate and government one-on-one meetings, as well as multiple rounds
of focus groups, to determine the challenges users encounter in a Windows
environment and the appropriate solutions.

Several thousand beta testers, including both end user and corporate sites,
put the product through its paces and provided feedback to the Windows
development teams in Central Point's Foster City, Calif, and Beaverton
facilities.

"PC Tools for Windows is a spectacular product," said John Dunkle,
president of Workgroup Technologies, an industry research firm located in
New Hampshire. "It's everything the 'wannabes' wanna be. What Central
Point has delivered is the total Windows solution. It's got everything
from customization of desktop characteristics, drag and drop, and
conformance to objects, system backup, archiving, networking and just
about every other fundamental that Norton just can't deliver. And it
obliterates the need for HDC's Power Launcher."

Features at a Glance

PC Tools for Windows includes the latest and most powerful versions of
several different Central Point utility programs. Combined, they provide
users with the essential Windows companion, blending productivity,
protection and performance in a one-stop selection of everything needed to
make Windows work well.

Productivity 

Problem: Windows Program Manager Lacks Flexibility 
Solution: MultiDesk

Windows artificially segregates applications and files, making it awkward
for users to manage projects and organize their workspace. People tend to
work on tasks and projects that require use of multiple applications and
files. While Windows allows users to run multiple applications, it does
not provide an easy means to associate and quickly find the applications
and files required for a specific project. With PC Tools for Windows'
MultiDesk, users can install several virtual desktops that each contain
all the applications and files related to a specific task, making the
project easier to manage. (See Figure 1: MultiDesk screen shot.)

Problem: Windows File Management Is Under Powered 
Solution: PC Tools for Windows' File Manager

PC Tools for Windows' File Manager simplifies everyday tasks, such as
copying, moving, deleting and mailing files, by reducing mouse clicks and
keyboard strokes. The product's 80 file viewers, which is double the
number of viewers found in most competitive products, display text and
graphics files in their native format, without needing to load the host
application. SmartFind quickly combs a hard disk for specific text or
data. The customizable interface allows users to place their most
often-used commands at their fingertips as part of a toolbar.

PC Tools for Windows also contains a robust PKZIP-compatible file
compression and decompression module, which reduces file size for faster
modem and network file transfers.

The compression process operates seamlessly with File Manager, providing
users the ability to search, view and open compressed files.

Len Jordan, product manager for PC Tools for Windows at Central Point
added: "The productivity capabilities in PC Tools for Windows represent a
natural extension of the operating environment and conform to all
appropriate Windows standards. The Windows Program Manager and File
Manager both remain fully intact."

Protection

Problem: The Windows System Is Unprotected and Subject to Damage
Solution: WinShield Data Protection

PC Tools for Windows' DiskFix module enables users, for the first time from
within Windows, to schedule automatic repair of common hard disk problems,
such as lost data clusters or corrupted File Allocation Tables (FATs) or
directories. These problems can result in system failure if not repaired.
Emergency Disk enables users to restore unbootable systems. PC Tools for
Windows also includes enhanced versions of Central Point's award-winning
Central Point Anti-Virus for Windows and Central Point Backup for
Windows.

PC Tools for Windows offers a full set of native Windows data protection
tools. Consequently, Windows users no longer need to exit out to DOS to
perform these functions. (See Figure 3: WinShield screen shot.)

Performance 

Problem: Windows Consumes System Resources 
Solution: Optimizer and System Consultant

PC Tools for Windows' Optimizer and System Consultant enhance system
performance without requiring expensive hardware upgrades. Optimizer fixes
the worst Windows performance problem--hard disk fragmentation. Hard disk
fragmentation results from DOS' inefficient, random system of storing
clusters of data. Entirely from within Windows, Optimizer automatically
defragments the hard disk drive, rearranging the data clusters into a more
logical order whenever the system remains idle for an extended period of
time. Regular use of PC Tools for Windows' optimizer can increase overall
system speed by up to 30 percent.

System Consultant offers more than 400 reports detailing hardware and
software aspects of the user's system and makes more than 50 specific
recommendations as to how to improve efficiency and operation, on both a
hardware and a software level. For example, it will analyze Windows System
Resource usage and recommend changes to Windows system files--win.ini and
system.ini--to optimize overall system performance.

Pricing and Availability

PC Tools for Windows is scheduled to be available later this month for a
suggested retail price (SRP) of $179.95 through major software
distributors and resellers in the United States and Canada.

"PC Tools 8.0 for DOS has been on our hot list since it began shipping in
October. Based on all the indications from our resellers, we expect
Central Point's PC Tools for Windows to be equally, if not more,
successful," said Karen Fuller, vice president of marketing for Merisel.

Registered users of any version of PC Tools for DOS can upgrade to the
Windows version for an SRP of $49.95. Customers in North America can call
(800) 445-4208 to order an upgrade or request additional product
information.

System Requirements

PC Tools for Windows runs on any ISA-, EISA- or Microchannel-compatible
personal computer, with Windows 3.1 running in enhanced mode. The product
requires a 386 processor or better, 4MB of RAM and 3-14MB of hard disk
space for installation, depending upon how many modules are installed.

Central Point Software, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, develops, markets
and supports a complete line of utility software products for DOS, Windows
and Macintosh on the desktop, as well as the dominant server platforms.
Founded in 1981, the company now has a worldwide customer base of five
million users. Central Point's products are translated into six foreign
languages and are available in more than 30 countries.

All prices listed are U.S. suggested retail prices and may be subject to
change without notice.

Central Point Software
15220 N.W. Greenbrier Parkway, #200, Beaverton, OR 97006
Customer Service: 503-690-8090; Technical Support: 503-690-8080
Fax: 503-690-8083

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