Prodac Media Selects Espial Browser for Hospitality In-Room Internet and Entertainment Systems

Prodac Media Selects Espial Browser for Hospitality Room Services

Espial Market Leadership Continues as Escape is Deployed in Europe

OTTAWA, Canada-October 9, 2002-Espial, creator of software that powers the world of smart Internet devices, today announced that Prodac Media of Cologne Germany is using Espial Escape for their latest in-room interactive entertainment and information systems. Prodac Media is one of the largest providers of Internet and information systems for the hospitality industry in Europe. Hotels in Germany, France, Italy and Austria rely upon Prodac Media and Espial technology to provide a wide range of services including video on demand, Web browsing, email, and video games.

Espial software has enabled Prodac Media the ability to quickly and easily develop and update our in-room systems, which leads to a more cost effective way to improve the services hotel guests have come to expect," said Guenter Krebs, R & D Manager at Prodac Media. "Use of such advanced services has proven to be extremely attractive to hotel visitors and has contributed to significant increased revenue for all parts of the hotel service delivery chain."

Espial Escapes compatibility with Internet security standards provides guests the ability to securely access retail, travel and financial services websites from their hotel televisions. Previous deployments of Espial Escape with customers such as On Command, a leading supplier of hotel Internet and information systems in North America have made it one of the most deployed multimedia software suites in the industry.

"Large scale deployments such as Prodac Media continue to prove that the advanced Espial Escape browser provides the functionality that is required for the hospitality industry. A TV-friendly browser offering functionality on a par with a standard desktop browser is a significant differentiator for in-room interactive entertainment and Internet systems," said Dr Neale Foster, director of marketing, TV at Espial. "Our latest deployment with Prodac Media is another example of how our technology can be implemented to provide an immediate upgrade and improvement in offerings."

Prodac Media has deployed Internet an information systems in more than 50 European hotels. With partnerships with Warner Brothers, United Pictures International, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Prodac is well positioned to provide an attractive suite of entertainment and technology for the hospitality industry.

About Espial Escape

Espial Escape is the first 100% Java browser to offer a scalable configuration that supports key Internet standards. Thanks to its exceptional feature set, Escape has emerged as one of the only Java browsers to have been successfully deployed on multiple Java Virtual Machines (JVMs). Now in its fourth major commercial release, Escape is proven Java browser technology that has been commercially deployed and works across a range of smart Internet device categories, including: Internet appliances, interactive digital TVs, wireless devices and automotive infotainment systems, For more information on Espial Escape, visit http://www.espial.com/escape.

About Espial

With more than 90 device design wins with companies such as Intel, Motorola, On Command, Philips, Sony and Samsung, Espial has deployed proven solutions for devices relying on Internet connectivity. Espial software allows customers to create services, deliver devices, manage infrastructure while building revenue in a cost effective manner. Espial technology applies universally, across sectors as TV, wireless, and automotive. Visit www.espial.com.

For further information please contact:

Craig Olson
Media Relations, Espial
+1 515 224 7641
colson@espial.com