Wild! About Wildcat! Interactive Net Server -- Users can access Web sites without Net access
By Krista Ostertag

If you're looking for a Web server that you can wrap billable hours around, take a look at Santronics Software Inc.'s Wildcat! Interactive Net (WIN) Server. While Wildcat! Interactive Net Server is a fully functional Web server for Windows 95 and NT, it also has direct dial-up support, keeping in sync with Santronics's Bakersfield, Calif., roots as a BBS software developer. The advantage of Wildcat! Interactive Net Server is that you have the option to access a Web site either through direct dial-up or via any browser. With dial-up support, Santronics's virtual Winsock program lets users access a site without having Net access. They just need a phone line, a modem and the client piece, which can be downloaded free from Santronics's Web site.

With Wildcat! Interactive Net Server, VARs can create a customized online community for vertical market niches: education, for example. Use Wildcat! Interactive Net Server to open communication lines between teachers, students and parents. Students can get their homework assignments online and teachers can provide online tutoring after school hours. Parents can send e-mail to teachers about the progress of their children-all without the parent or teacher having to pay a monthly fee for Internet access. Wildcat! Interactive Net Server also comes with a custom connector tool, which lets you create a customized front-end with each client's logo.

The server includes an HTTP server, an FTP server, SMTP server and POP3 server. It comes with a message system, which enables forum style chat; a file transfer system; security features, such as caller authentication and security profile controls; wcSubscribe, an electronic gateway for full online business transactions; real-time teleconferencing; and CGI support.

Wildcat! Interactive Net Server is available in three editions; two popular VAR products are the Business edition, which supports up to 16 concurrent users and is priced starting at $1,125. The Enterprise edition, which provides support for up to 64 concurrent users, includes a Microsoft Exchange mail option and is priced starting at $2,995. Several SDKs and toolkits can be purchased separately.

-Krista Ostertag
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