PRESS - INFORMIX, DIGITAL AND KPMG FORM DATA WAREHOUSE INITIATIVE

INFORMIX, DIGITAL AND KPMG FORM DATA WAREHOUSE INITIATIVE Initiative Will Maximize Performance Benefits of 64-bit Computing Technology Data Warehousing Lab Allows Customers to Test Applications MENLO PARK, Calif., (September 19, 1995) -- Informix Software (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leader in parallel processing database technology, Digital Equipment Corp. and KPMG Peat Marwick, the global leader of professional services firms, today announced a joint data warehousing initiative designed to offer customers a complete data warehousing system integration solution. The initiative will unite the performance benefits of 64-bit computing from Digital and Informix, and the systems integration expertise from KPMG. The data warehousing collaboration is initially targeted to customers in the financial services, manufacturing, retail and telecommunication industries. A key component of the initiative is the establishment of a data warehousing lab at KPMG's Enabling Technology facility in Radnor, Pa. facility. The center will be run by KPMG and will allow customers to test their applications on a Digital AlphaServer, Digital's enterprise system featuring 64-bit Alpha architecture, and INFORMIX'-OnLine Dynamic Server with 64-bit enhancements including very large memory (VLM). The 64-bit solution will provide users with superior performance and manageability of their very large database (VLDB) applications such as data warehousing. To ensure seamless technical proficiency, the companies have also implemented a three-way cross training program in which technical staff from each organization will complete full training courses for the other two companies. We have optimized our DSA architecture to take full advantage of the power and flexibility of Digital's 64-bit environment, said Steve Sommer, Informix's vice president of marketing. With the Informix/Digital/KPMG solution, customers are guaranteed the best performance for their very large database applications including data warehousing. Customers are looking for flexible, scalable solutions for data warehousing, said Don Harbert, vice president of Digital's UNIX Business Segment. The Alpha platform for commercial customers, comprising 64-bit Digital UNIX, AlphaServers and comprehensive PC integration assures the reliability, performance and growth potential to meet their needs today and well into the next century. The combination of Informix's Dynamic Scalable Architecture with Digital's AlphaServers and KPMG's solutions expertise, provides customers with unprecedented power, scalability and cost- effectiveness. KPMG invested in data warehousing because it's a critical tool in empowering management to focus on growth, said David Flaxman, partner in KPMG's enabling technologies practice. In partnership with Informix and Digital, we are demonstrating architectures best suited for large scale data warehouses in our Advanced Technology lab, which will be used for both client demos and industry-specific modeling. Benefits to Customers This initiative offers customers a cost-effective, open systems data warehousing solution that is based on industry-leading database software, hardware and systems integration. Informix, Digital and KPMG are leaders in data warehousing who understand that expertise in VLDB environments requires in-depth knowledge beyond one component of a solution. Preliminary performance tests have revealed that this initiative will offer customers the best performing 64-bit computing solution for running their next generation applications, traditionally only available in a mainframe environment. About 64-bit Computing A 64-bit architecture relaxes memory addressing limitations inherent in 32-bit computing, thereby providing significant breakthroughs in large database performance and manageability. Informix has made enhancements to its DSA architecture to take full advantage of large memory addressibility. However, VLDB support requires more than very large memory capabilities. To maximize the power of a 64-bit computing environment, Informix's DSA architecture additionally offers capabilities that provide for I/O efficiency and query optimization techniques for both OLTP and data warehousing applications such as: - Multithreading -- Allows for efficient CPU utilization with large number of users - Asynchronous read-ahead -- Provides efficient table and index scan I/O performance - Row-level locking -- Maximizes performance of OLTP applications and hybrid OLTP/DSS environments - Database partitioning -- Allows for VLDB manageability and scalability Hash joins -- Enables efficient non-indexed joins of large tables Parallel data query -- Provides performance and scalability for decision support About Digital Equipment Corporation Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information systems. Digital's scalable Alpha platforms, storage, networking, software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help organizations compete and win in today's global marketplace. About KPMG Peat Marwick The Strategic Services Consulting unit of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP applies expertise in operations management and enabling technologies to help clients improve business performance. It focuses on delivering measurable operational improvement of time, cost and quality in clients' business operations. Strategic Services Consulting is organized into three service areas which cross vertical markets: Enabling Technologies, Enterprise Package Solutions and World Class Finance. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is the U.S. practice of KPMG, the global leader among professional services firms. Worldwide, KPMG has more than 6,000 partners as well as 67,000 professionals servicing clients through 1,100 offices in 837 cities in 134 countries. In the U.S., KPMG partners and professionals deliver a wide range of value-added consulting, assurance and tax services in five markets: financial services; manufacturing, retailing and distribution; health care and life sciences; information, communications and entertainment; and public services. About Informix Informix Software is the leading supplier of high performance, parallel processing database technology for open systems. The company's database servers are the number one choice of computer hardware manufacturers for publishing Transaction Processing Council (TPC) benchmarks for UNIX-based systems. Informix products also include application development tools for creating client/server production applications, decision support systems and ad-hoc query interfaces, and connectivity software that allows information to be shared transparently from PCs to mainframes within the corporate computing environment. The company's corporate headquarters is in Menlo Park, California. -- %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% William Daul Advanced Support INFORMIX SOFTWARE INC. 4100 Bohannon Dr. (415) 926-6488 - wk Menlo Park, CA. 94025 uunet!infmx!billd or billd@informix.com