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Ford Motor Company Chooses Interface Systems for Communications

22 September 1998

Ford Motor Company Chooses Interface Systems for Communications

   Cleo Communications Group provides bisynchronous communications solution
                           for a year 2000 problem

    LOVES PARK, Ill., Sept. 22 -- Interface Systems, Inc.
today announced that its Cleo Communications Group has been
selected to provide bisynchronous communications for Ford Motor Company's
new communications server.  The server will be used by Ford to
conduct EDI with more than 4,000 of its North American suppliers.
    Year 2000 compliance issues forced Ford to begin planning for the new
server last year when it was discovered that one version of one piece of
its proprietary system in use was not compliant.  Although a different
version was found to be compliant, it did not support the bisynchronous
protocols needed to communicate with mainframe architectures.
    "Ford's situation underscores the need not only for Year 2000 testing of
major applications, but every piece of the communications chain as well,"
Jeffrey Schneider, Interface vice president said.  "Today's levels of
programming and application integration demand that more emphasis be placed on
compatibility of every piece."
    Cleo Communications partnered with several major application vendors
presenting options to Ford.  The winning combination of IBM and Interface
has been in testing for the past two months and is now entering full
implementation.
    The combination of the IBM MQ S series cross platform API and the Cleo
3780Plus(TM) software and Cleo SYNCcable+ hardware was found to fit another
of Ford's primary objectives as well.  Ford wanted to assure each of its
suppliers that no changes in their system architecture or operating procedures
would be mandated by the conversion.
    "With more than 14 years experience in more that 100,000 installations,
Cleo 3780Plus is already the preferred bisync, RJE (remote Job Entry)
solution," Schneider said.
    Cleo 3780Plus provides full emulation of IBM 2780/3780 RJE stations for
PCs, workstations, communications servers and selected midrange systems.
The Cleo SYNCcable+ provides synchronous communications through asynchronous
ports, further broadening the base of potential users.  Cleo Communications
will also supply the terminal servers, rack mounts, Cleo SYNCracs and power
supplies to fulfill Ford's hardware needs and will provide technical support
for the whole package.

    About Cleo Communications
    Cleo Communications is one of the premier providers of the communications
solutions that enable businesses to talk business.  In addition to the Cleo
3780Plus bisynchronous product, Cleo also covers the broadest range of
asynchronous platforms with Cleo A+(TM).  LexiCom, a fully-automated,
comprehensive toolkit of the major Internet protocols is in beta testing now.
With its full release, Cleo Communications will become the only company
offering communication solutions in all three arenas: bisynchronous,
asynchronous and Internet.
    About Interface
    Interface provides Electronic Statement Delivery (e-Statement Direct(TM))
products and services, Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP)
integration products and services, and software-based tools and solutions for
mainframe document distribution and host connectivity.  With more than 30
years of experience, Interface works closely with companies to help them
extend the life, the reach and the value of their existing information
systems.  Interface is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., and markets its
products worldwide.  More information on Interface and its products can be
found at: http://www.intface.com.

    All company, brand and product names are or may be trademarks of their
respective holders.