Intel Introduces File Sharing Appliance for Small Business Customers

Network-Attached Storage Device Protects Critical Files, Increases Storage Capacity

HILLSBORO, Ore., July 20, 1999 - Intel Corporation today introduced the Intel® InBusiness™ Storage Station, a network appliance designed to help small businesses increase productivity through collaborative file sharing, protecting of critical files, and significantly increasing electronic file storage capacity.

About the size of a laptop computer, the Intel InBusiness Storage Station provides a simple and affordable solution to help small businesses increase productivity and employee collaboration by centralizing information and pertinent files within the company. According to the analyst firm International Data Corporation, file sharing is the most frequently cited reason small businesses use a network to link their PCs (personal computers)*.

Available in 12 GB (Gigabyte) and 24 GB versions, the Intel InBusiness Storage Station provides significant storage capacity for employees on a network to back-up and archive files. It contains an Intel Pentium® processor at 266 MHz enabling the Intel InBusiness Storage Station to scale as a business grows, so that more employees can access files without seeing a decrease in performance. In addition it contains a five-user license for award-winning data backup software from Centered Systems. With this software, customers may simply select the location of critical files as well as the time and frequency of file backup. From that point, the process becomes automated so small business owners don't need to remind employees to backup their files or take valuable time during the workday to run the program.

"The Intel InBusiness Storage Station is an ideal solution for improving collaboration on shared projects and protecting critical data," said Brad Romney, business unit manager, Intel's Small Business Networking Operation. "The loss of just one file can create a crisis for a small business. The automated backup software could save our customers weeks of redoing lost work and - potentially- their livelihoods."

Steve Olson of Schmitt, Griffiths, Smith & Co., PC, a CPA firm in Ogden, Utah, explained that his consultants are now able to transfer large amounts of data to the Intel InBusiness Storage Station for processing and data conversion right at a client's location. Previously, the consultants used to copy the customer's data onto a laptop computer, then take it back to the office for processing. "The Intel InBusiness Storage Station has significantly increased our office productivity and ability to service our clients by allowing instant and simultaneous access to centrally-located copies of our customers' databases," Olson said.

The Intel InBusiness Storage Station is the newest member of Intel's expanding line of network appliances designed to help small businesses acquire new technologies and professional capabilities, such as network storage, while overcoming the challenges of limited budget, resources, personnel and technical expertise. Other Intel InBusiness Network appliances include the Intel InBusiness Internet Station for shared Internet access, the Intel InBusiness e-Mail Station for internal and external e-mail services, and the Intel InBusiness Print Station for sharing printer access within a small business. As with the entire family of Intel InBusiness products, the Intel InBusiness Storage Station offers small business customers simple installation and easy-to-understand documentation in a variety of languages, including Spanish.

Pricing and Availability
The Intel InBusiness Storage Station 12 GB version is available July 20 at a suggested list price of $999 (U.S.) per unit. As of Sept. 1, the Intel InBusiness Storage Station 24 GB version will be available at a suggested list price of $1399 (U.S.) per unit. All Intel networking products are available worldwide through a network of distributors and value-added resellers.

Additional product information is available at (800) 538-3373 for U.S. and Canadian customers; at (44) 1-793-431-155 for European customers; or at (503) 264-7354 for other international customers.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.