MACROMEDIA DELIVERS MACROMEDIA FLASH COMMUNICATION SERVER MX

Breakthrough server unifies communications and applications to deliver live, human interactions on the Internet

San Francisco, California—July 9, 2002—Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACR) today announced the immediate availability of Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX, the first server to unite communications and applications. The new server integrates support for streaming media, real-time collaboration, and multi-way video, audio, and text messaging into a single solution. The server also leverages the market-leading authoring environment of Macromedia Flash MX and broad distribution of Macromedia Flash Player, as well as the powerful capabilities of the entire Macromedia MX product family. Developers are already embracing the potential and power of Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX (see attached quote sheet).

With Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX, developers can easily add communication and collaboration capabilities into their websites and rich Internet applications. The server enables the creation of a whole new generation of Internet communication solutions. With streaming media and live, human interactions integrated directly into existing websites, companies can offer innovative product marketing, stock information, online learning, and sales communications information within one integrated user experience. Designed as an open development platform, the server enables completely custom solutions and integrates easily with existing web and application server infrastructure. For more information on Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX, go to www.macromedia.com/go/flashcom/.

"Combining streaming, messaging, and real-time communication capabilities into a single server that uses Macromedia Flash Player 6 as the client will forever change communications on the Internet," said Jonathan Gay, vice president of engineering, Macromedia. "With the release of Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX, we are empowering developers to transform the Internet from a world of text and data into a space filled with live, human interactions."

Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX combines powerful communication capabilities including streaming media, rich media messaging, and real-time collaboration. Streaming media features let developers integrate streaming video and audio with motion graphics in a customizable player environment for a new level of multimedia presentation on the Internet. With rich media messaging features such as multi-way, multi-user video and audio chats, developers can add engaging live, human interactions and instant messaging to their websites. The real-time collaboration features, including the powerful Shared Object technology, enable multiple users to share live white boards and other real-time data in the context of an application.

"The leading development companies are those who are placing strong emphasis on deep integration rather than disparate point solutions," said Rikki Kirzner, research director, IDC. "Bringing together capabilities such as streaming video, real-time messaging, and collaboration will usher in entirely new types of rich Internet applications that won't require users to keep launching different applications to accomplish their tasks, resulting in a better user experience."

On the client, the communication server takes advantage of Macromedia Flash Player 6 to receive and transmit video, audio, and data. Macromedia Flash Player automatically recognizes installed microphones and standard USB or FireWire webcams, and lets end users grant or deny access before anything is broadcast. Macromedia Flash Player 6 has the fastest adoption rate of any player in Macromedia's history.

"Many companies talk about the future of the web; few create it," said Colin Moock, author, ActionScript: The Definitive Guide. "Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX is set to popularize real-time multi-user video, audio, and data communication. Get ready—your web browser is about to become a real-life sci-fi movie."

For development, the communication server includes new extensions to the Macromedia Flash MX authoring environment. The extensions include new authoring, scripting, and debugging capabilities as well as pre-built components for login, multi-way chat screens, white boards, and video conferencing. The development technology makes it straightforward and easy for the more than one million Macromedia Flash developers to build communication solutions.

Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX works with other Macromedia MX products including Macromedia Studio MX for development and Macromedia ColdFusion MX for deployment. In addition, the new server can integrate with Java and Microsoft .NET application servers and other web infrastructure.