B.O.S. Better On-line Solutions Adds Dial Backup and Improved Specialty Printer Support to its e-Twin@x Remote Controller™

The industry's only pure TCP/IP controller ensures a return to smooth and efficient operations if LAN connection fails; Version 2.50 also includes improved support for label and barcode printers

Teradion, Israel, February 25, 2002 - B.O.S. Better On-line Solutions today announced a new Dial Backup feature for its e-Twin@x Controller™, a complete hardware and software solution that provides a secure, encrypted connection to the AS/400 over the Internet or WAN and empowers local or remote Twinax networks to support TCP/IP. Version 2.50 of the e-Twin@x Controller includes a new Dial Backup feature for controllers that are connected to an AS/400 using a LAN connection (via the Internet routers or a separate Frame Relay network). If the LAN connection fails, the Dial Backup provides (via an attached modem) an additional method to connect to the AS/400.

The latest version also includes a new Customized Object, specifically developed to solve bitmap printing woes and multiple-code page issues, commonly experienced when working with label and barcode printers.

The new Dial Backup feature will boost productivity. "Remote users can now realize the legendary uptime of the AS/400. No longer will frame relay outages affect Twinax users," states Martin Pladgeman, President BOS US.

New Dial Back-up Feature

The Dial Backup feature can be configured in one of two ways:
  1. With the "Always" option, the display and printer devices are connected via the LAN and the WAN simultaneously. If the LAN connection is temporary broken, all devices remain active and the users can continue to work.
  2. With the "On LAN Failure" option, the display and printer devices are connected via the LAN only. If the LAN connection fails, the Controller activates the modem connection. The Controller then reconnects all previously active devices using the modem line. After the LAN connection is restored, the Controller creates a second (LAN) connection for all devices and closes the modem connection once the LAN connection has been re-established. In this way, no device will be disconnected on LAN recovery. When the modem detects that no connection is active, it disconnects from the line.

Customized Object for Specialty Printers

Label and barcode printers are often called upon to deal with special printing requirements, such as oversized fonts, graphics, and unusual page sizes. To support these unusual printing requirements, BOS has developed yet another solution to fine-tune host-to-printer communications. The new BS3812 customized object causes the host to send a pure data stream through the e-Twin@x Controller, allowing it to override the original complex formatting commands with simplified commands that are supported by most printer models, before releasing the job to the destination printer.

Distribution and Availability

Version 2.50 of the e-Twin@x Controller is now available worldwide through the extensive B.O.S. network of subsidiaries, distributors, and value-added resellers (VARs). For more information call 1-800/866-6267 in the U.S., +44 116 282 0600 in Europe, or visit www.e-twinaxcontroller.com.

About B.O.S. Better On-line Solutions

BOS develops, produces and markets solutions for IBM midrange-to-PC and LAN connectivity, including Internet/Intranet, emulation gateways, and GUI, as well as printing solutions that are operating-system independent. The company also specializes in VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions. B.O.S. became a public company in April 1996; its stock is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol BOSC. More information on BOS, its products, and affiliates can be found on the World Wide Web at www.bosweb.com.

The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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