From: tim.meade%theweb@meaddata.com (Tim Meade) 
Newsgroups: comp.compression
Subject: PKWARE AND ASI AGREEMENT
Date: 5 Sep 92 08:06:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Web BBS 1-513-436-9011 6 Lines 1200 News groups 50,000 files!
Reply-To: tim.meade%theweb@meaddata.com (Tim Meade) 

I think the following is something most people here would like to know.
If any question please email me:

ASi AND PKWARE TO COOPERATIVELY DEVELOP MULTI-PLATFORM
COMPRESSION SOLUTIONS

Dayton, OH -- September 1, 1992  -- ASi and PKWare Inc. announced
strategic agreement today, under which the two companies will
cooperatively develop platform independent data compression programs
and routines.  The two companies have signed a Business Agreement which
builds upon their long-standing relationship and outlines new areas of
cooperation, including:

    --  jointly working to provide an open system solution to data
compression based on PKWare's PKZip program.

    --  providing a means for programmers in multi-platform environments
to have common data compression routines among all working systems.

    --  working together to provide future data compression products to
all current operating environments.

Highlighting the agreement is ASi's commitment to providing solutions
based on PKWare's products to many varied platforms and PKWare's
resolve to distribute these applications to an established customer
base as they become available.

The relationship capitalizes on ASi's expertise in multi-platform
open-systems computing solutions and PKWare's expertise in data
compression routines and products in the DOS environment.

"We are building a relationship with PKWare to provide the end user with
a standard of data compression which they can then use among all of
their
operating environments," said Tim Meade, president of ASi.  "The
computer
industry as a whole has never had a data compression standard, we intend
to change that."

The ASi/PKWare agreement includes three key areas of cooperation that
will provide a standard of data compression among open-systems
guidelines.

First, ASi and PKWare will work together to port existing PKWare
applications to target platforms, which include Unix (Sun, SCO,
Interactive, Pyramid), MacIntosh, MVS, Amiga, Ultrix, and other
environments as needed.  The products will include PKZip, PKUnzip, PK
Data Compression Library, PKLite, PKSFX, and future PKWare products.
The companies will cooperate in joint development, marketing, and
support of these products in all the necessary environments.

Second, the companies are moving forward with their joint efforts to
raise public knowledge about data compression and its advantages in
day-to-day operations.  While used extensively in the DOS environment,
common binary file storage with data compression is not widely used in
the other platforms and environments.

Third, the agreement provides a framework for the companies to continue
their cooperative work in providing the computer industry with future
data compression products based on PKWare research and ASi's cross
platform expertise.   This will ensure that the standard data
compression will remain a standard for many years to come.

The use of compression/decompression programs is particularly popular
among modem users, since a compressed file takes less time to send.  By
sending a smaller file, the user can save money on long distance phone
charges.  Stored files also benefit, since they take up less expensive
disk space.

Immediate products available through existing ASi and PKWare distributor
channels will include PK Data Compression Library for Unix, MacIntosh,
Ultrix, and MVS along with PKZip for UNIX.  Soon to be released
products include PKZip for MacIntosh and Amiga. Additional product
details, availability, and pricing will be announced as soon as they
become available.

The Data Compression Library for UNIX and MacIntosh is available
immediately for a cost of $495. PKZip for UNIX is also available for a
shareware registration fee of $87.

ASi is a hardware software supplier in a multi-platform environment.
With expertise gained while working with varied operating systems and
environments.

PKWare Inc. is an internationally known supplier of data compression
products and services.  Their PKZip compression product has become the
standard on DOS based personal computers.  The company's products and
services are used throughout the world.  With product's such as PKZip,
PKLite, PK Data Compression Library's, and PKZMenu they are the world's
standard of data compression.

For more information you may contact ASi at:

    PO Box 248, Dayton OH, 45449 513-436-9012
    Email:  ASi%theweb@meaddata.com
    Compuserve 76004,3055 or in PCVENC section 11 PKWare
    BBS Data Line:  513-436-9011 RIME ID ->THEWEB to Tim Meade
                                                                                      
Newsgroups: comp.compression