FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Beverlee Heiszler
Sophisticated Circuits, Inc.
Voice: 425-485-7979
Fax: 425-485-7172
E-mail:



ANNOUNCING POWERKEY PRO MODEL 600
"THE WORLD'S SMARTEST POWER STRIP"

BOTHELL, WA--April 15, 1997--Sophisticated Circuits, Inc., based in Bothell, WA, USA, announced the immediate availability of the PowerKey® Pro Model 600.

The PowerKey Pro Model 600 is a major new version of the company's PowerKey® power management devices for MacOS-based computers. PowerKey Pro Model 600 provides new levels of convenience, productivity, and capability. The device is a six outlet, programmable power strip that offers software control over individual outlets, energy conservation features, the ability to execute timed macros, and remote power management features.

"The PowerKey Pro Model 600 is our response to requests from customers for greater flexibility," said Amar Singh, president of Sophisticated Circuits. "Users told us that they would be more productive if they had power control over individual peripherals, enhanced access by telephone and improved server restart capabilities. PowerKey Pro Model 600 delivers everything they have asked for."

Each of the six receptacles on PowerKey Pro Model 600 can be controlled by the manual switches on the unit, or under software control using the PowerKey Pro software included with the product. The PowerKey Pro Model 600 can also be controlled by telephone or from another application program using Apple Events or scripts generated with scripting tools such as AppleScript.

The PowerKey Pro Model 600 can be ordered from mail order companies, dealers, VARs, consultants, or directly from Sophisticated Circuits,. PowerKey Pro, Model 600 has a suggested retail price of $318.00 with an approximate street price of $200.

The convenience of keyboard startup

With PowerKey Pro, users can turn on an entire Macintosh system, including up to five peripheral devices, simply by pressing the "power on" key on their keyboard. In addition, the device enables the user to delay or sequence the start up of the CPU or selected peripherals. Using this capability, users can set PowerKey Pro to delay CPU startup until SCSI devices are initialized.

Individual peripherals can also be turned on or off directly from the keyboard by assigning the device to a user-defined "hot key" combination. For example, a printer could be started by pressing the assigned function key. PowerKey Pro also allows the user to shut down the entire system automatically simply by selecting the Shut Down command from the Special menu.

Sophisticated remote power control

In the past, mobile computer user who wished to access their desktop Macintosh would leave it turned on while traveling. Not only does this waste energy, it poses a security risk. With PowerKey Pro, the desktop machine can be left off when leaving the office. Then, by simply dialing their desktop modem number, the user can remotely start up their desktop computer. Using a PowerBook with remote access software, the user can transfer files, perform remote operations, or read e-mail. When the user has finished, PowerKey Pro will safely shut down the desktop system.

PowerKey Pro Model 600 provides the ability for users to assign phone tone codes to various actions allowing them complete control over their system from a telephone anywhere in the world. A code can be assigned to your remote access start up event providing greater security and to avoid turning your computer on by accident. PowerKey Pro also includes software that allows users to define which outlets should be powered on during a remote start-up. For example, if a user doesn't need to start up their entire system, PowerKey Pro can start the modem and CPU while leaving monitors, printers, or other devices off. Users can even pre-determine the hours available for remote start-up.

Launch macros automatically

With PowerKey Pro, users can perform time-consuming tasks in the off-hours. The device includes sophisticated scheduling software that can start up the CPU and a selection of devices at a pre-determined time, launch one or more OSA-compliant scripts to control unattended events, then shut the devices down again. This capability is typically used for routine operations such as system back-ups, file transfers, e-mail retrieval from on-line services or document printing. These tasks can be performed in the middle of the night, enabling the user to focus on productive tasks during the day.

Conserve energy and lower costs

PowerKey Pro provides complete control over system energy consumption. PowerKey Pro can monitor activity from the keyboard, mouse, or serial devices and, after a user-specified period of inactivity, automatically shut down unneeded devices. PowerKey Pro will restart the these devices automatically when it detects user activity. In addition, the PowerKey Pro scheduling software can turn on or off the entire system, or just chosen devices, at pre-set times. For example, a user might configure the device to turn on their entire system at 7:45 a.m., just prior to the start of their work day, and turn off the system at 5:45 p.m. The scheduling software can easily be configured to provide automatic system start up and shut down only on specified days of the week, to leave the system completely off during weekends, for example.

Keep Servers up and running

PowerKey Pro Model 600 provides users the ability to detect and automatically restart crashed MacOS-based computers. Additionally, users can remotely restart crashed servers by telephone. This provides a simple, cost-effective way to dramatically improve the up-time of servers.

Application Timer

Custom applications can take advantage of the User Timer of the PowerKey Pro to make sure they do not hang or crash. This allows the application to "ping" the PowerKey Pro at a chosen frequency. If the PowerKey Pro does not receive a ping from the application, it will initiate a "User Timer" trigger. With the PowerKey Pro software users can choose which actions will be taken. These actions can include restarting the application, or perhaps restarting the entire system.

No tools or special setup required

PowerKey Pro was designed to be easily installed. Power cords from a computer and peripherals plug into to the PowerKey Pro outlets and an included Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) cable connects PowerKey Pro to the Mac's ADB port. An easy-to-use installer places the device's software in the proper folders. The PowerKey Pro software makes it easy for users to create powerful event schedules.

For remote access uses of the PowerKey Pro, the telephone line must be connected through the phone jacks on the unit. An additional telephone cable is provided.

PowerKey Pro operates on Mac OS-based systems running System 7.0 or higher. The Macintosh CPU must have an ADB port and 4 megabytes of RAM.

Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. was founded in 1985 to develop and market innovative hardware solutions that increase the convenience and productivity of MacOS-based computers. The company's other products are PowerKey and PowerKey Pro Model 200 power management products, PowerPad, the Eddy Award-winning numeric input device, and Desktop Dialer, an ADB device that turns a Mac OS-based computer into an automatic telephone speed dialer. The privately-held company is located in Bothell, Washington.

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PowerKey and PowerPad are registered trademarks, and Desktop Dialer is a trademark of Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. ADB, Apple, Macintosh, Mac OS, and Mac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners.