Press Release

Netscape Launches Mission Control Desktop 4.5 With Communicator Pro to Reduce Cost in the Enterprise

Tool Suite Offers Easy Configuration and Centralized Management of Netscape Communicator 4.5 for the Enterprise

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (October 29, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced the release of Netscape Mission Control Desktop 4.5 with Communicator Pro management suite. The software tools provide information technology (IT) professionals with a new level of control and improved manageability over their intranet client environment. Mission Control Desktop 4.5 enhances the enterprise functionality of Netscape Communicator 4.5, which was released last week.

"This release of Netscape Mission Control Desktop together with Netscape Communicator 4.5 enables IT managers to significantly reduce their cost of ownership over their intranet desktop environment," said Bob Lisbonne, senior vice president of client products division, Netscape Communications. "With Mission Control Desktop, IT professionals can preconfigure over 700 preferences and settings, build custom installs of Communicator, centrally manage client configurations, and automatically update desktop applications."

Key features of Mission Control Desktop 4.5 include:

  • Extensive configuration of Netscape Communicator 4.5 for the enterprise. IT managers can set or lock client preferences and prevent end users from accidentally changing crucial settings that would result in expensive help desk calls or desktop visits.
  • Easy deployment of Netscape Communicator 4.5. IT professionals can easily create customized client installers for distribution over their Intranet.
  • Central management of Netscape Communicator 4.5. IT managers can centrally manage their client configurations via an HTTP web server or an LDAP Directory Server.
  • Automatic software updates. IT managers can distribute software to end user desktops using the Netscape SmartUpdate feature of Netscape Communicator 4.5. This features enables IT departments to automatically upgrade all users to the latest version of Netscape Communicator and allows automatic installation and upgrades of other applications in the Communicator environment.

Netscape Communicator 4.5 is an enterprise-ready client with key enhancements directed at business users, including superior quality, high performance Internet messaging and flexible roaming access. This roaming support is beneficial to users of laptops, PDAs and those who use multiple machines, allowing them access to their customized Netscape Communicator information at work, from the road or from home. Netscape Communicator 4.5 also offers mobile users one-step synchronization of IMAP messages and replication of corporate directories based on LDAP.

Netscape Communicator 4.5 also includes Smart Browsing, an innovative service that helps users find information quickly and easily without having to type cumbersome web addresses. Once at a site, users can click on "Whatís Related" links and view a list of similar web sites. Netscape Messenger 4.5, the email component of Netscape Communicator, features a fully customizable, three-pane email interface that gives users a clear view of their mail, news folders and messages. It includes Pinpoint Addressing that helps users find the right email address quickly from multiple address books or a directory. It also includes an import wizard to transfer mail, addresses, and preferences from other email programs, including Microsoft Outlook 97/98, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Eudora mail.

Netscape Communicator 4.5 is available for download via Netscape Netcenter - Netscape's fast-growing portal site that provides users with a home base on the Internet. Users upgrading from version 4.0 can take advantage of SmartUpdate on the Netcenter site to quickly upgrade to Netscape Communicator 4.5.

Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. The company offers a full line of enterprise software solutions, professional services, and a leading Internet portal to help companies build, buy or outsource Internet applications that drive revenue growth, build customer loyalty, and create new levels of business efficiency. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol NSCP, Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.

Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling 650/937-2555 (corporations) or 650/937-3777 (individuals).

Netscape, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Certificate Server, Netscape FastTrack Server, Netscape ONE, SuiteSpot, and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel logos are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries.