June 30, 1994, Copenhagen, Denmark -- Olicom, a leading provider of network solutions, introduces a card to connect notebook PCs and other computers supporting PCMCIA to Ethernet networks. By providing Ethernet connectivity, the EtherCom PCMCIA card gives mobile computer users full LAN benefits including access to client-server applications, printer sharing and data and software retrieval from servers. Based on the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) standards, the EtherCom PCMCIA features Olicom's high-performance drivers and a limited memory consumption.
Mobile computers represent the fastest growing segment of the computer industry, and PCMCIA is the evolving adapter interface standard for notebooks, notepads, palmtops and other mobile computers. Dataquest estimates that 1995 shipments of notebooks and pentops will top 10 million units, with handhelds growing at 108 percent annually and pen-based units growing at 174 percent annually over the next three years. To address this growing consumer demand, Olicom has added the EtherCom PCMCIA card to its product line. Olicom also offers a PCMCIA card for 4 or 16 Mbps Token-Ring networks.
"Olicom is committed to deliver a full range of high-end networking products. The EtherCom PCMCIA adapter will meet our customers' requirements for a powerful card to connect mobile computers to their networks," said Bjarne Kaiser Lauritzen, Product Line Director at Olicom.
Easy Installation
The EtherCom PCMCIA card comes with a standard installation package and instructions to make installation easy even for those with minimal technical expertise. All major card and socket services are supported, and Olicom has certified the majority of PCMCIA supporting computers currently available. The card installs easily into the PCMCIA socket of the computer. Users can then select the high performance Olicom drivers from the installation utilities to connect the notebook to the network.
To ensure trouble-free installation and operation, users can reach Olicom customer service and technical support via the Olicom hotline, (+45 45 27 01 02). Customer service and technical support are also available through the Olicom BBS (+45 45 27 01 00), CompuServe (GO OLICOM) and Internet (support@olicom.dk).
Compatibility and Interoperability
The EtherCom PCMCIA card interfaces with all standard notebooks, laptops, palmtops and desktops supporting PCMCIA standards and comes in versions supporting UTP only or UTP and Coax cabling systems. The EtherCom PCMCIA card complies with the PCMCIA revision 2.0 specification and the formalized Ethernet standards IEEE 802.3. The card supports major network operating systems such as Novell NetWare, Microsoft LAN Manager, IBM LANs and communications software. The EtherCom PCMCIA card runs under MS-DOS, MS Windows, MS Windows NT and IBM OS/2 as well as a variety of UNIX operating systems.
Pricing and Availability
The EtherCom PCMCIA card was first featured at NetWorld + Interop 94 in Berlin earlier this month as well as Networks 94 in Birmingham. The card will be available for sale in August 1994 at a suggested list price of $199 for twisted pair and $249 for the combined twisted pair and thin coax.