ITW Paslode Chooses FourGen and Informix

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** ITW PASLODE CHOOSES FOURGEN SOFTWARE OVER 54 OTHER VENDORS (SEATTLE) - December 20, 1994 - After a six-month evaluation of 55 software vendors, ITW Paslode chose FourGen software to provide distribution and financial information systems to manage its business of manufacturing construction fastening systems. This division of the multi-billion dollar Illinois Tool Works (ITW) plans to utilize the flexibility offered by FourGen software as a tool to improve customer service. "We went through an in-depth study to determine our solution needs," said Susan Meyer, ITW Paslode's IS Project Leader. "We visited all of our sites and met with our outside sales team, and most importantly, we spent time with our customers. We spent time talking about the vision of Paslode. Our mission is to make it easier for our customers to do business with us." ITW Paslode's existing proprietary solutions did not allow customization and therefore did not meet the company's changing needs and focus on improved customer service. FourGen software's focus on ease of modification was a key factor in ITW Paslode's solution decision. "We needed flexibility because we have many different aspects to our business -- from manufacturing plants to service centers. Considering the different types of businesses under the Paslode umbrella, FourGen is an excellent fit," explained Meyer. FourGen's distribution and financial applications are expected to strengthen customer service at ITW Paslode by speeding order processing and information access. Meyer said, "I envision that we will cut our order processing time to allow same-day shipment of products. Also, our users will have much easier access to information, which will give better service to our customers by providing answers quickly." About FourGen ------------- FourGen Software is a leading provider of client/server applications and visual decision support tools. It specializes in high-volume order cycle software which allows companies to deliver products to their customers quickly and accurately while maintaining minimal inventory. FourGen's integrated order cycle and financial applications combine the flexibility of custom-developed software with the predictable cost stability and ease of maintenance found in packaged software. FourGen customers include Motorola, Texaco, AT&T, JVC, Fujitsu, and KFC, plus many other distributors, retail chains, and manufacturers who must efficiently manage the distribution of large volumes of products. FourGen's partitioned applications combine leading technologies such as MS Windows, INFORMIX-4GL, SQL, and CASE to create products which are both feature-rich and easy to use. Sales Summary -------------- FourGen Products: Enterprise: Inventory Control Order Entry Purchasing Replenishment General Ledger Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable FourGen CASE Tools Decision Support Tools: Visual Financial Manager Visual Sales Manager Visual Replenishment Manager Visual Credit Manager Informix Products: INFORMIX-OnLine Full Development INFORMIX-RDS Full Development INFORMIX-SQL Full Development INFORMIX-ID Full Development INFORMIX-OnLine Runtime INFORMIX-SQL Runtime INFORMIX-RDS Runtime Hardware Platform: Data General AViiON # FourGen is a registered trademark of FourGen Software Technologies, Inc. All other product names are registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. Copyright 1994 FourGen Software Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. ------------------------------------------------------------ For more information, contact: FourGen Software, Inc. Natalie Hadfield or Daren Kloes (206) 522-0055 (800) 333-4436 Fax: (206) 522-0053 natalieh@fourgen.com darenk@fourgen.com