PRESS:INFORMIX OBJECT-RELATIONAL DATABASE LEADS THE INDUSTRY

INFORMIX OBJECT-RELATIONAL DATABASE LEADS THE INDUSTRY WITH 1,000 CUSTOMERS Informix Experiences Increased Demand for Extensible Object-Relational Database MENLO PARK, Calif. (January 20, 1998) Informix Corporation (NASDAQ: IFMX), the leading provider of innovative enterprise database technology, has reached the 1,000 customer milestone for its object-relational technology. Now available on NT and all major UNIX platforms, Universal Data Option(TM) extends the relational database functionality of Informix(R) Dynamic Server(TM) to support SQL-3 and the seamless integration of new data types, features, functions, and index methods. Many production sites based upon Universal Data Option today have implemented web solutions, or applications that manage complex or rich data content. The combination of features supported by Universal Data Option is perfectly matched to the needs of today=92s growing web and content management markets. "We are proud to have 1,000 Universal Data Option customers in 1997," said Informix executive vice president and CFO Jean-Yves Dexmier. "What=92s more, these customers are using the technology to leverage a wide range of OLTP, Web, Content, and even Data Warehouse applications in a variety of vertical markets. It=92s clear that new data types, business specific logic, and DataBlade technology are becoming major tools for our customers to gain the competitive advantage they require." Widely acknowledged for its industry leading object-relational technology, Informix has been praised by customers for integrating the concepts of object-oriented databases with relational databases. "Informix has led the relational database vendors into the object-relational world of today," said Carl Olofson of International Data Corporation. "The impressive list of customers solving tough real-world business problems with Informix Universal Data Option today indicates that Informix has already developed great demand for their technology. Informix is well poised to play a leading role in providing the content management infrastructure for the emerging age of ubiquitous information." Informix Customers Implement Universal Data Option Extensibility, object capabilities, and scalable performance are key features of Informix database products that help enable customers to achieve competitive advantage. The extensibility Informix=92s database products provide is inspiring both existing and new customers to look at how database technology serves their business needs. Existing Informix customers are experiencing first hand Informix=92s "Never rebuild, never rebuy" approach to product strategy. These customers continue to use existing applications without modifications, and are adding incremental enhancements to revolutionize how data serves their organizations. This technology has brought many new customers to Informix. Combining Informix Dynamic Server, Universal Data Option and several DataBlade(R) modules, GTE Enterprise Solutions, a unit of GTE Corp., rapidly created a new web-based service that enables law enforcement agencies to share information and resources. The availability of DataBlade modules from multiple Informix partners supporting text search, face recognition, image processing, data profiling, and geographic analysis allowed GTE Enterprise Solutions to easily extend Universal Data Option to meet the demands of their application. "Universal Data Option, in conjunction with other web integration and server functionality from Informix, has been a tremendous help to us in making informed decisions and is highly adaptable to new and different types of information," said Dave Watkins, general manager - law enforcement services for GTE Enterprise Solutions. Informix is unique in providing true object support and unrestricted extensibility without compromising the core relational performance and scalability that enterprise solutions demand. Built on Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option and Web Integration Option(TM), UOL Publishing, Inc. has developed "The Virtual Campus," a comprehensive, interactive learning system that enables corporations and educational institutions to provide courses and monitor participants' progress from a single online source. "Legitimate object technology was key to delivering courseware customized to our users=92 needs," said Michael Anderson, senior vice president of technology at UOL Publishing, Inc. "But we couldn=92t handle the accelerating demand peaks without the performance that comes from full integration with Informix Dynamic Server." For The Sporting News, Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option has contributed to a reduction in time and costs surrounding the design, implementation, and operation of its interactive sports site, which provides in-depth sports news and entertainment, including games, contests, chats and exclusive team reports for 374 college and pro teams. Even more critical to the Sporting News, Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option has helped reduce the time required to deliver breaking sports news by more than 80 percent, according to Jason Kint, producer at The Sporting News. "For us, competitive advantage is the ability to get sports information on the web before the networks. Informix=92s technology outperforms and outclasses any other database solution and lets us deliver timely information faster," says Kint. "The time and money we save on development is just gravy on top of that." Extensible Technology Allows Partners to Create Innovative Solutions Beyond web and content solutions, many partners are now implementing application solutions that help customers extend the value of their information investment by allowing them to easily integrate and leverage all of the information available to their business. This is driven in part by the availability of Universal Data Option=92s powerful application programming interface (API) and DataBlade Developers Kit to create applications and DataBlade modules. Currently, solutions are being developed for a variety of vertical markets, including health care, banking/finance, and pharmaceuticals. Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) has built a DataBlade module, that directly integrates their mapping software with Informix Dynamic Server. "Utilizing Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option and ESRI's DataBlade allows us to build larger map coverages and perform queries and analysis faster," said ESRI CEO Jack Dangermond. "The tight integration also guarantees that the spatial data remains synchronized with the other information in the database." Another Informix partner, ECOlogic Corporation of Washington, DC uses Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option to build custom solutions for customers in a variety of industries. "In the past, customers had to adapt their business to the limitations of the traditional relational model," says Michael Keeler, ECOlogic president and CEO. "Informix technology means that the database can now adapt to better match a customer=92s business needs." About Informix Informix Corporation