Apple and IBM to Offer Customers a Broad Range of New Networking Efficiencies

San Francisco -- October 2, 1991 -- Customers will find it easier to connect Macintosh computers to their IBM networks because of an agreement between Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today. The agreement covers both planned and existing products that will allow customers to integrate their Macintosh personal computers more effectively with IBM mainframe, midrange and departmental networks.

Macintosh computers acting as clients to IBM servers will be able to access a more comprehensive set of services on IBM-based networks than was available to them before. Such services for local and wide area networks include file and printer sharing, database access, terminal services, client/server applications, and network management. The agreement will also enhance IBM's role as a total systems provider for customers who require multivendor networking, where equipment from many different manufacturers must work together flexibly and seamlessly.

The new products for improved networking efficiencies will be developed separately by Apple and IBM, with the first available as early as December 1991. Under the terms of the agreement, products will be marketed and supported by the developing company.

Today's networking announcement highlights five areas:

AppleTalk services for OS/2 will allow Macintosh, OS/2, and DOS-based personal computers to share files, query corporate databases, and access a broad range of communications services through a common OS/2 server. To help achieve this, Apple will license to IBM the source code for AppleTalk protocols.
As part of the effort to ensure interoperability between its current and future environments, Apple has licensed IBM's Token-Ring technology for use in a product that is expected to appear later this year.
Macintosh personal computers will be able to participate more fully in Systems Network Architecture (SNA), IBM's blueprint for exchanging information across large, enterprise networks. One of the key developments will provide Macintosh users with full access to Advanced-Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN) directory and routing services. APPN is an extension of SNA that facilitates the flexible and easy distribution of applications, information, and other network resources to the end user.
Network management integration will enable customers to manage networks with Macintosh personal computers by IBM's LAN Network Manager or centrally through NetView, IBM's flagship network management product. This will promote more cost effective and efficient management of networks consisting of Apple and IBM products.
Macintosh personal computers and IBM's AS/400 family of midrange systems will communicate more effectively for improved access to AS/400 data and application resources. Enhancements for the Macintosh will include terminal services as well as the more advanced client/server functions of the AS/400. Apple will also implement its Data Access Language server for the AS/400. Data Access Language is Apple's Structured Query Language (SQL)-based technology for consistent access to relational databases on multiple platforms.

"The agreement with Apple presents exciting new opportunities to further IBM's ongoing commitment to build open, flexible networks where data and information can be exchanged across many different computer platforms," said Ellen Hancock, IBM vice president and general manager of the Networking Systems line of business. "Along with the enhanced networking capabilities of IBM's own PS/2 and OS/2 products, these efforts underscore IBM's commitment to promoting the growing role of the desktop in enterprise computing."

"We've made great strides in making Macintosh interconnect seamlessly into multivendor environments. The agreement with IBM will strengthen our position in enterprise computing--and more importantly make things easier for customers of both companies," said Michael Spindler, Apple's president and chief operating officer.

Today's announcements complement an existing array of products that help support interoperability between Apple desktop computers and IBM networks. Some of the functions these products address include workstation-to-mainframe hardware and software, local and wide area connectivity, application-to-application communication, and more specialized functions such as workstation data backup and archiving.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, AppleTalk are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc.

IBM, NetView, OS/2, PS/2, AS/400 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.

CONTACT: Brooke Cohan of Apple Computer Inc., 408-974-3019; Glenn Helton of Regis McKenna Inc., 415-354-4425, for Apple Computer Inc.; or Dennis Drogseth of IBM, 914-642-5474