HELIUS AND JDL TEAM UP TO MAKE INTERNET EASIER FOR SCHOOLS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Oct. 28, 1998 – Helius, Inc. and JDL Technologies partner to deliver a winning Internet solution for K-12 schools. The K-12WORLD Satellite Server™ from JDL uses Helius Optimized™ satellite access software to make high-speed, affordable Internet access available to all schools, even those in remote locations. Plus, content management features of the K-12WORLD Satellite Server, such as CyberLibrary™, improve time on task by funneling the right information to the right people.

"Insufficient infrastructure often limits the Internet as a usable tool for classroom instruction," said Myron Mosbarger, president of Helius, Inc. "Satellite-based Internet access solves this problem in three ways: high-speed, low cost and universal availability."

Network Edition for DirecPC software from Helius is used by the K-12WORLD Satellite Server to receive high-speed satellite transmission of Internet data on a school's local area network (LAN). Satellite transmission costs less than a T-1 line, is faster than ISDN and is available even in remote locations.

"Research on learning reveals that 'time on task' is a critical element in student achievement levels," said Dr. Allen Schmieder, JDL vice president of K-20 programs at JDL and former senior science and technology program director for the Department of Education. "Trying to rapidly access appropriate curriculum materials from immense resources can be a negative aspect of Internet use. The CyberLibrary™ solves this problem with its teacher-selected collection of relevant and quality materials, enabling students to practice their 'on-line accessing skills,' while at the same time dramatically reducing their 'surfing' so that time spent on using, and learning from, the downloaded materials is maximized!"

CyberLibrary caches Internet content and is able to deliver data at the speed of the network. Additional time can be saved by using the PRobot™ (proxy robot) to download web content during non-peak hours and have it cached for use the next day.

Helius software also offers optimizing features to save schools additional money. Advanced Packet Filtering™ quickly examines each IP packet before it is sent out, eliminating redundant information, and the Dynamic Service Multiplexer™ aggregates available DirecPC satellite service into a single service pool, making it shareable to all computers connected to the LAN. Workstation requests are serviced from the shared pool, and when the service is no longer needed by a workstation it is immediately returned back to the service pool, ready to be used by another workstation.

A recent dramatic price reduction, available exclusively to K-12WORLD Satellite Server users, sets monthly charges as low as $169 for up to 10 concurrent users without ISP service, and ranges to $459 for an unlimited number of LAN seats with ISP service.

For technical information on the K-12WORLD Satellite Server, please contact Product Manager Clayton Bosquez at info@jdltech.com or 1-800-535-3969.

Helius, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is a privately owned, Orem, Utah-based company funded by The Canopy Group. Helius developed the first software to manage Internet transmissions from satellite to LANs. It developed Helius Optimized features that improve the efficiency and usability of satellite transmissions for the network environment. For more information about Helius and its products visit http://www.helius.com or call 1-888-764-9020.

Since its founding in 1989, JDL Technologies has experience with more than 4,000 networks in K-12 schools across the United States. JDL is dedicated exclusively to the K-12 education marketplace and has been ranked by the Technological Horizons Education Journal as one of the top five most trusted sources for assistance in K-12 networking (with IBM, Novell, and Apple) in the nation. JDL successfully assists nationally recognized educational organizations with design, training and support to deliver reliable and cost-effective networking and Internet access, enhancing teaching and learning. For more information about JDL and its services visit http://www.jdltech.com or its education community at http://www.k-12world.com. JDL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSII).

Helius, Helius Optimized, Advanced Packet Filtering and Dynamic Service Multiplexer are trademarks of Helius, Inc. K-12WORLD, K-12WORLD Satellite Server, CyberLibrary and PRobot are trademarks of JDL Technologies, Inc.