PRESS: INFORMIX AND MICROSOFT CLIENT/SERVER PACKAGE FOR WINDOWS NT NOW AVAILABLE

INFORMIX AND MICROSOFT CLIENT/SERVER PACKAGE FOR WINDOWS NT NOW AVAILABLE Informix Value-Added Resellers Provide Database Applications on Windows NT MENLO PARK, Calif., (February 1, 1994) Informix Software, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of a promotional client/server package for the Microsoft(R) Windows NT(TM) platform. This package is the first product deliverable, resulting from the joint strategic marketing alliance between Informix and Microsoft that was announced in November 1993. The promotional package, which has received early support from several Informix Value Added Resellers (VARs), will include the Windows NT Advanced Server operating system, and the INFORMIX-SE Client/Server Software Developers Kit (SDK) for Microsoft Windows NT. The Informix developers kit contains Informix's database server for Windows NT and a complete set of Informix client connectivity modules for the Microsoft Windows(TM) operating system. As part of the strategic alliance, the agreement calls for the two companies to co-market the promotional product package; jointly provide training to Microsoft Solutions providers, Informix VARs, and Windows NT early adopters; and jointly participate in other marketing activities such as advertising, seminars and direct mail programs. Informix VARs to Offer Windows NT-based Applications "This package will accelerate the further development of business applications for Windows NT," said Dwayne Walker, director of the Worldwide Solution Provider Group at Microsoft. "Informix' large marketshare and VAR base of over 3500 partners, makes a strong case for cooperation between our two companies." "We are pleased to work with Microsoft and get their support, because we view the Windows NT Advanced Server as an attractive alternative for customers who want to develop database applications quickly and cost effectively," said Steve Sommer, vice president of marketing at Informix. "The bundle is proving to be very attractive to our VARs and other independent software developers who want to expand their applications into the Windows NT marketplace." One such company is accounting software vendor, Concepts Dynamic, Inc., of Schaumburg, Illinois. An early test site for the promotional package, the company has already used the INFORMIX-SE Software Developers Kit to migrate its application software packages to the Windows NT environment. Concepts Dynamics recently released a new version of its Financial Control System software that supports the Windows NT platform. "We believe that the Microsoft Windows NT environment represents the future of desktop computing," said Karl W. Steinle, president of Concepts Dynamic. "By using tools like the INFORMIX-SE Client/Server SDK for Windows NT and INFORMIX-4GL for Windows, we are able to make our accounting applications available to the growing number of companies who are choosing Windows NT as their client/server environment. This strategic offering from Informix and Microsoft is another example of how Informix helps its partners evolve their products into new technologies, new markets, and new customer accounts." TECSYS INC., an open systems software provider to the wholesale distribution industry, has already made significant commitments in its product portfolio strategy to the Windows NT environment. The company's Informix/Windows NT-based application will be available later this year. "TECSYS' primary focus is to deliver customer-responsive solutions that provide simplicity to end users, operational efficiency, and competitive advantages to distributors," said Peter Brereton, TECSYS' senior vice president, Product. "Leveraging the power, flexibility and ease of use that will be brought about by Informix and Windows NT will undoubtedly add more performance to our ELITE product line and also increased flexibility for our customers." Client/Server Package Details Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1 features powerful, 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking; access to gigabytes of memory and terabytes of disk storage; built-in networking; and scalability to run on Intel(R) RISC and symmetric multiprocessing systems. INFORMIX-SE version 5.01 is a low-overhead RDBMS ideal for early development on the Windows NT platform. The product requires minimum database administration expertise yet provides reliable performance and sophisticated features that assure data consistency in multiuser configurations. INFORMIX-SE takes advantage of client/server features such as stored procedures, triggers, and ANSI SQL-89-compliant declarative integrity constraints. In addition to INFORMIX-SE, the package will include INFORMIX-ESQL/C, a tool which allows C-based Windows applications to access Informix databases; INFORMIX-SQL, a database application development tool that provides database administration facilities to the server; and INFORMIX-NET PC, a tool that provides communication between an Informix database server and a client PC. Also included in the Informix client/server kit is an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver from Q+E Software that will allow customers to use any ODBC-enabled third-party client tool and link it to the Informix server running on Windows NT Advanced Server. Price and Availability The promotional package is available immediately from Informix. Tech Data (TM), an exclusive distributor for the promotional package in the U.S., will also sell the package and provide customer training and support. Customers interested in more information on the package may call Informix at 1-800-331-1763 or Tech Data at 1-800-237-8931. A special introductory suggested retail price (SRP) of $1795 per user, offered in the U.S. for a six-month period, will allow developers to create Windows NT Advanced Server database solutions at a substantially reduced cost. Sold separately, all the products in the package would cost approximately $5,000 (SRP). Developers who already have the Windows NT Advanced Server operating system may purchase INFORMIX-SE Client/Server SDK for Windows NT, as a separate product. The kit is available today, at a special introductory SRP of $995 per user, in the U.S. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. About Informix Informix Software Inc. (NASDAQ: IFMX) provides the most complete and productive database technology to build, deploy, run, and evolve applications. Informix products include powerful distributed database management systems, robust application development tools, and graphical- and character-based productivity software for delivering information to every significant desktop platform. With corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., Informix has European headquarters in London and Asia/Pacific headquarters in Singapore. ### Informix VARs Support Informix, Micro