ITAC Systems, Inc.

Editors note: Images are available as .tif files for downloading from the Press Room at http://www.itacsystems.com/.

GARLAND, Texas -July 13, 1998 - ITAC Systems, Inc., announced today a version of its evolution MOUSE-TRAK compatible with USB (Universal Serial Bus).

According to Don Bynum, president of ITAC, the evolution is one of the first trackballs on the market to comply with the new USB industry standard. "We are pleased to lead the market once again by supporting and shipping products that improve the man-machine interface." The MOUSE-TRAK - more than just a "better" mouse - has streamlined, ergonomic design features and comfortable molded contours that invite the hand. Over and above a look that fits with the power of USB, the evolution MOUSE-TRAK delivers on its promises of ease-of-use and comfort.

Though most major PC manufacturers have been shipping systems with USB hardware, only Microsoft Developers could actually use USB products, as there has been no O/S support. With Microsoft now shipping Windows 98, users will be able to exploit the benefits that USB offers as a single, highly flexible, external peripheral connection scheme.

According to John Lybarger, ITAC Engineering Manager and USB representative, "From ITAC's perspective, the availability of USB support in Windows NT 5.0 will be very important. Many of our UNIX-based customers have been aggressively moving to NT in anticipation of the capabilities 5.0 will bring to the network environment. We are already delivering the products these high-end users demand. Our USB-based input devices allow them to make full use of the reduced support requirements that USB offers over older ways of connecting mice, printers, scanners, modems, plotters, and the many other I/O gadgets."

The evolution MOUSE-TRAK is a state-of-the-art productivity addition to the executive or power-user workstation. The evolution provides comfort and productivity benefits, and it lets the user point with the index finger, not the elbow or thumb, like many mouse input devices.

Because it takes up very little of the user's valuable desktop "real estate" - it's half the size of a mouse pad - the evolution MOUSE-TRAK is always conveniently at hand for your point-and-click activities. The intuitively located keys offer tactile guide features to readily distinguish them. The keys are pre-programmed to perform the most common functions of conventional three-button mice, including primary click, primary double-click, primary drag, auxiliary click, and right click. The evolution, like all the MOUSE-TRAK family, offers ITAC's unique instant speed control key that toggles from linear mode to ballistic.

Plug and Play Convenience

To install the USB evolution MOUSE-TRAK, plug it into the port. There is no need to power off and reboot. There are no special software drivers to install - it works with the drivers that come with Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0. A user can, however, easily re-program the evolution MOUSE-TRAK right from the keypad, either for left-handed use or to reassign functions from one key to another. For a quick reminder or in case the brief and easy-to-read instruction manual gets misplaced, the simple directions are printed in a convenient location right on the bottom of the device.

Priced at $99, the USB version of the evolution MOUSE-TRAK targets the demanding high-end user who is concerned more with value than with price. In addition to USB, the evolution MOUSE-TRAK is also available for PS/2- ($99) and Sun- ($199) compatible interfaces.

A Family of Precision Input Devices

The evolution MOUSE-TRAK is the most recent member of the MOUSE-TRAK family of precision-control input devices, including the MOUSE-TRAK Personal, MOUSE-TRAK Professional, the MOUSE-TRAK Desktop Industrial, and a line of panel-mountable components.

NEWS RELEASE

evolution MOUSE-TRAK® Now Available for USB