ACORN SOFTWARE INTRODUCES VIRTUAL BRANCHES=81 FOR WINDOWS NT Hudson, MA, August 19, 1996 -- Acorn Software, Inc., an innovator in data storage technologies for DEC/VAX systems, has announced VIRTUAL Branches=81 for Windows NT systems. Previously developed for the Digital VAX OpenVMS environment, VIRTUAL Branches is data library management and robotics control software. VIRTUAL Branches software allows system administrators to use inexpensive optical storage to warehouse large amounts of data near-line, without incurring the high cost of additional hard disk space. The software is compatible with a wide range of optical and CD-ROM jukeboxes and enables users on the network to view the discs in these libraries as simultaneously mounted virtual disk volumes. Users are then able to retrieve data from discs as though they were hard disks, regardless of their physical location. "We're building on our success in managing optical and CD-ROM libraries for the OpenVMS environment, and bringing that technology to Windows NT systems," said Richard Munroe, Acorn Software president and chief technology officer. "VIRTUAL Branches helps make file management completely transparent to the NT client, who really does not care where the data resides, as long as it is accessible. System managers will appreciate the simplicity of installation and maintenance of VIRTUAL Branches, as well as its reasonable price." VIRTUAL Branches for Windows NT can be downloaded now from the Acorn Software Website at http://www.acornsw.com. Like all other Acorn products, system managers can use the software for a 45-day free trial period before purchasing a license. A permanent license and maintenance contract may be purchased by contacting Acorn Software online or by telephone. Acorn Software, Inc. develops and markets data library management software, storage robotics control software, and removable storage system solutions for Digital OpenVMS and Windows NT systems. Acorn Software products support hierarchical data management and provide seamless integration of optical disk and tape libraries. For more information, contact Acorn Software at 267 Cox Street, Hudson, MA 01 749; phone 508-568-1618; fax 508-562-1133; Internet info@acornsw.com. Acorn makes its virtual home on the Internet at http://www.acornsw.com. ###