Tucson, Arizona-headquartered Artisoft Inc has done its share price no harm with the launch of version 6.0 of its LANtastic network operating system: analysts like the fact that it includes features that had not been expected, and the fact that it should be ready to ship this month, and the shares put on some 30% last week, going as high as $22.75. According to the company, it is backwards-compatible with LANtastic v5.0 network and Simply LANtastic, but eatures a new universal client technology, said to enable LANtastic v6.0 workstations to connect seamlessly to servers running Microsoft Windows NT and Windows for Workgroups, and IBM Corp’s LAN Server. As revealed last month, the universal client feature also includes NetWare Core Protocol support, enabling access to NetWare 2, 3 and 4 servers; according to the company this was publicised earlier as a by-product of the announcement of a new server-based LANtastic/NetWare 4 product. Artisoft has also incorporated an integrated groupware system into version 6.0: the Artisoft Exchange object-oriented system includes advanced electronic mail, network scheduling, facsimile and paging features for LANtastic v6.0 network users – features that caused some surprise. LANtastic v6.0 will be sold on a per-node basis with one-, five-, 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-user kits available. Pricing for these user kits will start at $120 and upgrade pricing will begin at $40 per node. It will also be available in starter kits that include two NodeRunner/SI 2000/C adaptors and a two-user software licence. These starter kits will be priced at $520. Add-on kits will include one NodeRunner/SI 2000/C adaptor and a one-user software licence and will cost $240.
