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FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 15, 1997 AT 7:30 AM EST
Contact:     Erik Randerson (investors)
             Owen Daley  (media)
             Allen & Caron/South Coast Communications
             (714) 252-8440

ALPHA MICROSYSTEMS SELLS PANDA SCHOOL FOODSERVICE SOFTWARE OPERATION TO PACIFIC
TRIANGLE SOFTWARE


SANTA ANA, CA (January 15, 1997) . . . . . Alpha Microsystems (Nasdaq NM:ALMI)
announced today that it has sold its PANDA operation, which develops and markets
foodservice software for elementary and secondary schools, to privately-held
Pacific Triangle Software, Inc. of San Mateo, CA. Pacific Triangle Software is a
developer and marketer of software and systems for the school foodservice
market. The sales price for PANDA is approximately $1.0 million including
contingent payments of $600,000. The sale is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company's fiscal fourth quarter ending February 23, 1997. Further
terms were not disclosed.

In making the announcement, Alpha Microsystems President and CEO Douglas J.
Tullio said, "The sale of the PANDA operation is another important step in our
strategy to focus our efforts and resources on the AlphaCONNECT(TM) family of
Internet/intranet products, which includes AlphaCONNECT Pro(TM) and AlphaCONNECT
StockVue(TM), and on our North American services operation. We anticipate that
the sale of PANDA will also help improve the future bottom-line performance of
Alpha Microsystems."

Alpha Microsystems Service Operation (AMSO) will continue to provide maintenance
support services to the current base of PANDA customers and AMSO has been
appointed the sole preferred nationwide provider of maintenance services by
Pacific Triangle for its entire installed base throughout the US.

Tullio added, "Pacific Triangle, through its Bon Appetit Software division, has
developed an excellent following as a provider of quality solutions to the
school foodservice market, and PANDA fits well into their strategic product
thrust. We are pleased that AMSO will continue to provide maintenance services
to the PANDA installed base and believe our appointment as the sole preferred
service provider by Pacific Triangle could result in additional service
opportunities for AMSO."

Pacific Triangle President and CEO David L. Swank said, "The acquisition of the
PANDA operation gives us a Windows-based software solution for those school
districts that have selected Windows as their preferred operating environment.
The installed base of PANDA customers on the West Coast also complements our
existing base of Bon Appetit Software customers."

Pacific Triangle Software, Inc. is a leader in providing industry specific
software applications to school districts and other institutions. Its Bon
Appetit Software division was a pioneer in the




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school foodservice applications market as a Business Partner of IBM serving both
AS/400 and PC users.

Alpha Microsystems serves the Internet and intranet markets through its
software, services and technologies. The Company also provides products and
services such as consulting, maintenance, software, hardware and networking,
both directly and through value-added resellers and distributors. Alpha
Microsystems has been in business for over 18 years and today has over 40
locations, as well as third party distribution channels worldwide. For more
information, contact the Company's Web site at http://www.alphamicro.com

Certain statements in this Press Release constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future
results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.














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                                  EXHIBIT 20.1