PRESS: GTE AND INFORMIX TAKE "BITE OUT OF CRIME" WITH

GTE AND INFORMIX TAKE "BITE OUT OF CRIME" WITH WEB-BASED SOFTWARE APPLICATION THAT LINKS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES Service Utilizes Informix=92s Extendable Database With Multiple DataBlade Modules MENLO PARK, Calif. (November 11, 1997) =97 Informix Software Inc., a leading provider in innovative database technology today announced that GTE Enterprise Solutions, a unit of GTE Corp., has selected INFORMIX=AE-Universa= l Server as the database for The Bastille(sm), a Web-based service for real-time sharing of information among officers of the law. INFORMIX-Universal Server serves as the database system for managing all the data and content that is stored and retrieved within The Bastille=92s highly secure and encrypted application service. The Bastille helps officers of the law do more legwork in cyberspace, allowing them to cover more territory faster. Specifically, officers and detectives with the click of their computer mouse, can search or post information in a secure Web environment into the Informix database= concerning: =B7 Criminal activity, gang watch and drug watch =B7 "Most wanted" suspects =B7 Missing or abducted children alerts =B7 Criminal or missing persons photos =B7 "Hot spot" neighborhood maps =20 Multiple DataBlade=AE modules from Informix and third parties are utilized within the extendable database for The Bastille. These DataBlade modules allow for the introduction of new types of data to be stored in the database and can be manipulated and retrieved "bringing alive" the information needed for law agencies to help fight crime within their communities. These DataBlade modules include: =B7 Excalibur Image DataBlade Module - for manipulating images, photographs, =B7 Excalibur Text DataBlade Module - provides full-text searching and extensive fuzzy-search abilities of any type of text directly inside the Informix server,=20 =B7 Excalibur Real-Time Profiler DataBlade Module - allows users to create= and save text-search queries as profiles or "agents." When new data matches a given threshold of relevance in a profile, that profile=92s owner is= notified of the new data, =B7 Informix Web DataBlade Module - for displaying dynamic content on the= Web, =B7 MapInfo Geocoding DataBlade Module - assigns latitude and longitude= plots to addresses and displays them on a map. Officers can track to see if patterns exist in geographic areas and conduct crime prevention courses to supersede crime activity, =B7 MapInfo SpatialWare DataBlade Module - With the SpatialWare DataBlade module users can employ spatial analysis in the database, assuring the integrity of the data and providing better access to information through data visualization and spatial analysis, =20 =B7 Signafy Invisible Ink for Images DataBlade Module - allows content= owners to embed imperceptible permanent watermarks in images and to extract and verify watermarks for authentication. "The Bastille is a custom application that must continue to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies around the country," said Brian Plotkin, manager of operations for GTE Enterprise Solutions. "The Informix database allows us to customize the database to natively support new types of information or adapt the business logic to match the way subscribers work. Informix best provides the variety of DataBlade modules we needed to get this application up and running quickly." Advanced Database Technology Helps to Fight Crime Using The Bastille, officers and detectives will be able to securely view a variety of crime-fighting information including photo lineups of suspects, mugshots and surveillance videos. The service will be particularly helpful in solving cross-jurisdictional crimes. For example, with MapInfo=92s DataBlade Module and Formida=92s development tools, officers can quickly narrow their suspect list by graphically zeroing in on a crime zone, then overlapping a map of known offenders in that area. The prime system integrator for The Bastille is Saucedo Enterpises based in Dallas, with consulting assistance provided by Informix=92s Enterprise Consulting Group. Bastille is also supported on Silicon Graphics Systems, and EMC=92s Symmetrix for enterprise storage. Information Resource Engineering provides SafeNet(tm) encrypted virtual private networks and Formida Software provides the ability to view images, video, and other information in one application and geocode it to a map.=20 Bastille is planned for availability in February of 1998. A demonstration of the service showcasing INFORMIX-Universal Server was shown to attendees at the 104th Annual Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in October. Early trials of the system begin this month in North Texas and will include a dozen law enforcement agencies such as county sheriff=92s offices, department of public safety and police departments. About INFORMIX-Universal Server INFORMIX-Universal Server, based on Informix=92s Dynamic Scalable Architecture=99 (DSA), is the industry=92s first fully extendible relational database. It has the unique capability to flexibly manage any type of information or business logic in a single, integrated system -- enabling a new class of innovative business applications, such as GTE's Bastille law enforcement service. About GTE With revenue of more than $21 billion in 1996, GTE is one of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the world. In the United States, GTE offers local and wireless service in 29 states and long-distance service in all 50 states. GTE was the first among its peers to offer "one-stop shopping" for local, long-distance and Internet access services. Outside the United States, where GTE has operated for more than 40 years, the company serves approximately 7 million customers. GTE is also a leader in government and defense communications systems and equipment, directories and telecommunications-based information services, and aircraft-passenger telecommunications. Additional information about GTE can be found on the Internet at http://www.gte.com. About Informix Informix Software, Inc., based in Menlo Park, Calif., provides innovative database technology that enables the world's leading corporations to manage and grow their business. Informix is widely recognized as the technology leader for corporate computing environments ranging from workgroups to very large OLTP and data warehouse applications. Informix's database servers, application development tools, superior customer service, and strong partnerships enable the company to be at the forefront of many leading-edge information technology solution areas. More information about Informix is available via the World Wide Web at http://www.informix.com.