IGEL Joins IBM Business Services Upgrade Project

IGEL Technology to Participate in a Joint Project With IBM Business Services To Upgrade and Expand IBM Netvista Terminals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. and BREMEN, Germany, March 31 -- Under an outsourcing agreement, IGEL Technology is joining IBM Business Services in a project to upgrade the IBM NetVista terminals at German auto-parts supplier Trost. Upgrading the firmware of the machines safeguards future operation and ongoing maintenance of Trost's investment in terminals. Additionally, the IGEL upgrade kits provide Trost's employees with a whole range of new functionalities on their existing IBM NetVista terminals. The IGEL upgrade kits also add a marked improvement in performance and expand the communications capacities of the older IBM terminals by supplying additional protocols and software interfaces. IBM discontinued production of their NetVista terminals in early 2002.

Essentially, the new firmware turns NetVista terminals into true IGEL Thin Clients. Compared with the IBM terminals, these offer a series of functions such as wireless LAN, 122-key keyboard support and/or Internet browsers, including Java Virtual Machine (JVM), depending on the requirement. Thanks to integrated PowerTerm emulation software, the upgraded IBM NetVista terminals at Trost also have access to a vast range of legacy host applications. In addition, embedded ThinPrint management software provides an important tool for bandwith-optimised local printing.

The IGEL-2800 Premium 32MB CompactFlash(TM) modules with embedded IGEL Flash Linux are fully compatible with the IBM hardware. The embedded Linux system is maintained and upgraded on an ongoing basis by IGEL. For users at Trost, no training is required as their desktops are the same as in the past.

Albert Hermann, EDP manager at Trost, comments: "In the IGEL systems we have found a reliable solution for continuing the maintenance of our NetVista terminals supplied by IBM Business Services. The IGEL upgrade kits provide an essential contribution to safeguarding our investment. With the quick and simple installation of IGEL firmware, we can continue to operate our IBM terminals and can even expand them with major functionalities that keep pace with technical developments."

About IGEL Technology

IGEL Technology is the fastest-growing, full-service, Thin Client brand in the global server-based computing market and the world's leading manufacturer of Linux Thin Client terminals. IGEL Technology is synonymous with high quality, performance and reliability -- key factors in the successful implementation of fully managed server based systems. IGEL Technology is a member of the 200 year-old MELCHERS group, and registers the IGEL(R) Thin Client Computing brand and its IGEL Embedded Flash Linux operating system world-wide. For further information go to www.igel.us

About Trost

Trost is one of Germany's biggest auto-parts manufacturers. With over 1800 staff they have more than 65 branches across Germany. www.trost.de

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