Award-Winning Pen Spreadsheet Announced for Microsoft Windows 3.1

April 7, 1992 — Tuesday at Windows World, PenWare demonstrated its PenCell spreadsheet under Windows for Pen Computing.

PenCell, the only currently shipping spreadsheet designed exclusively for pen computing, combines the functionality of traditional spreadsheet computing with special features that meet the needs of the mobile professional. Introduced at Comdex/Fall ’91 on the Momenta pentop system, it was a finalist for a Best of Comdex award for applications software, the only pen software thus honored.

A number of leading pen system hardware OEMs have announced their support for PenCell.

A Spreadsheet for the Pen Systems User

Designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the mobile professional, PenCell includes all the functionality of a traditional spreadsheet — functions, charts, fonts, etc. — plus a number of special features that utilize the unique facilities of the pen computing environment. These features include:

• Unlimited Undo facility — By tapping the Undo button, which is always available on the screen, users can reverse spreadsheet operations step by step, an unlimited number of times. This feature eliminates the danger of data loss due to entry error, regardless of how many steps back the error occurred.
• Direct spreadsheet manipulation — The pen can be used to manipulate the spreadsheet directly, thus minimizing hand motion and improving productivity. For instance, the user can select a range and delete it, drag and drop it, or pop up a menu to modify it just by using the pen.  Also, the user can add a row of numbers together by simply entering ”+” in the destination cell.
• Direct cell entry — With the pen, users can enter data directly into spreadsheet cells.
• Electronic ”ink” — Users can annotate spreadsheets with freeform handwriting or graphics by writing in electronic ”ink” on an overlay layer. The resulting flexibility eases workflow by enabling managers to review projects and make comments electronically.
• High-level scripting language — The high-level PenScript language supplies an English-like description of each operation as it completes, providing users with constant visual feedback on the results of their actions.
• Internationalization — PenCell is designed for easy internationalization. Both English and German versions of PenCell are currently shipping on the Momenta platform.

PenCell is fully integrated with Windows for Pen Computing, and takes maximal advantage of the environment’s gestures and facilities.  PenCell also provides compatibility with conventional desktop spreadsheets through the automatic translation of imported and exported spreadsheet files.

”PenCell clearly demonstrates the potential of the pen to make a real impact in the daily use of Windows for Pen Computing,” said Greg Slyngstad, general manager of Microsoft’s Pen Computing Group.

”It makes simple spreadsheet analysis easy, and effectively addresses the special needs for casual computing of mobile pen users. Pencentric applications like PenCell will catalyze the explosive growth in pen computing under Windows for Pen Computing.”

”Our goal is to support the dramatic and sustained improvement of business productivity through the use of pen computers,” said Faruq Ahmad, vice president of Marketing at PenWare.

”Windows for Pen Computing sets a clear mainstream standard, and the spreadsheet is a primary business application. PenCell makes spreadsheet use simple again, and we believe it will broaden the market for pen computing. We are actively looking for partners to support the distribution and localization of PenCell globally.”

Availability and Distribution

Commercial shipment of PenCell is slated for the third quarter of 1992, through distribution channels to be announced later. The expected list price is $295.

About PenWare

PenWare Inc., a privately held computer software company, was founded in 1991 as a subsidiary of NKR Research, a software developer in the area of computer language compilers since 1983.

Based in San Jose, PenWare’s specific mission is to develop and deliver software solutions for mobile professionals. The company’s first product is the PenCell spreadsheet, which was announced in October 1991 and began shipping to customers in December 1991.  -0-

Note to Editors: PenCell and PenWare are trademarks of PenWare Inc. Windows for Pen Computing is a registered trademark of Microsoft.

The following companies are announcing support for PenCell in separate releases available from PenWare: NCR, GRiD, NEC, Eden Group, TriGem, and Samsung.

CONTACT:
PenWare Inc., San Jose
Faruq Ahmad, 408/249-7004
or
Lindsay PR, Santa Clara
Mary Lindsay, 408/984-7242