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Informix to announce data warehouse bundles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Monday, February 10, 1997
Source: PC Week
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PC Week via Individual Inc. : Informix Software Inc. will announce later
this month its data warehouse bundles, joining a fast-growing group of
database vendors offering similar one- stop warehousing options, according
to sources.

The bundle will offer a choice between the Informix OnLine Dynamic Server
and the Informix OnLine Workgroup Server relational databases.

Customers who choose the OnLine Dynamic Server will also receive Netscape
Communications Corp.'s Enterprise Server, while those who opt for the
OnLine Workgroup Server will receive Netscape's FastTrack Server.

Informix will also throw in the Informix MetaCube product suite, which
includes the MetaCube online analytical processing engine and the MetaCube
Explorer ad hoc access, analysis and reporting end-user tool.

In addition, Informix will provide service and consulting for building data
warehouse prototypes. The Menlo Park, Calif., company will also integrate
any other decision support tools a customer wants to include in the data
warehouse or data mart.

Informix officials were not available for comment at press time.

The company can be reached at www.informix.com.

<<PC Week -- 02-07-97>>
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Informix Announces Integrated FastStart Solution for Rapid Data
Warehouse and Decision Support Deployment; Comprehensive Solution
Allows Customers to Rapidly Build Scalable Data Warehouses and Data
Marts

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 1997
Source: Business Wire
----------------------------------------------------------------------

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. -- Informix
Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leading provider of innovative
database technology, today announced an integrated, scalable,
FastStart data warehousing solution for customers who need to rapidly
and easily design and deploy scalable data warehouses or data marts.

Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution includes a
high-performance database server based on Informix's industry-leading
Dynamic Scalable Architecture(TM) (DSA), combined with integrated
relational OLAP (ROLAP), Web-enablement technology and premier
consulting services, training and support from Informix's Professional
Services.

For over five years, Informix has provided customers with innovative
methodologies and powerful, scalable data warehousing technology,
ensuring hundreds of successful and effective data warehouse and data
mart implementations. With the addition of its FastStart solution,
Informix is meeting the emerging needs of companies that require
immediate development and deployment of warehouses to manage essential
business information.

Informix's FastStart solution includes all of the essential components
of a successful data warehouse implementation, including
INFORMIX(R)-OnLine Dynamic Server(TM) or INFORMIX-OnLine Workgroup
Server, each integrated with Informix's unmatched ROLAP technology --
INFORMIX-MetaCube(TM) 3.0 software; Web-enablement through tight
integration with Netscape FastTrack(TM) Server and Netscape Enterprise
Server(TM); and industry-leading consulting, training or an Informix
Superstore engagement.

"Informix offers a complete and aggressively-priced solution for
customers who need their warehouse up-and-running quickly -- instead
of six to 12 months from now," said Bruce Golden, general manager of
Informix's Data Warehouse Business Development Unit. "We're providing
customers with a unique architectural growth path so they can
effectively begin data warehouse or data mart development now, and
still have the flexibility to grow and migrate to the enterprise level
in the future."

With the availability of OnLine Dynamic Server and OnLine Workgroup
Server integrated with MetaCube 3.0 software, Informix provides
scalability and manageability for decision-support environments that
scale from gigabytes to multiple terabytes, providing customers with
streamlined and rapid access to business- critical information.

The MetaCube product suite -- the industry's only integrated ROLAP
tool -- is specifically tailored to Informix's database product line
and provides the most powerful multidimensional analysis and
decision-support capabilities on the market. Data sampling, a new
feature, allows customers to analyze data for trends and patterns in
record time.

With new support for extensibility, users can add custom analytics --
such as currency conversions and per-store averages -- directly into
the MetaCube engine, increasing performance by analyzing the data
directly in the database.

As part of Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution, customers
can choose from several of Informix's premier services, including
on-site consulting, training or an Informix Superstore engagement.

Informix Superstores are comprehensive, "try-before-you-buy" centers
where Informix, selected hardware and software partners, system
integrators and consultants all work together with best-of- breed
technology to enable customers to design optimum solutions for their
organization.

With the availability of INFORMIX(R)-Universal Server -- Informix's
completely integrated object-relational database management system --
customers who begin warehouse implementation now, have the option to
easily migrate to Informix's Universal Server architecture in the
future.

INFORMIX-Universal Server provides a portfolio of advanced Decision
Support System (DSS) analytical functionality via DataBlade(R)
software modules, as well as extensibility to handle data warehouse
implementations that transparently utilize all types of rich and
complex data -- including OLAP, data mining, time series and
geospatial data -- directly within the database, rather than managing
it externally as is required with other databases.

Pricing and Availability

The FastStart data warehousing solution is available immediately for
most Unix platforms and will be available on NT by March, 1997.
Pricing for the FastStart data warehousing solution with INFORMIX-
OnLine Workgroup Server on NT begins at $64,500; the FastStart data
warehousing solution with INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server on Unix or NT
begins at $82,500. Pricing includes credit towards on-site consulting,
training or an Informix Superstore engagement.

About Informix

Informix Software, based in Menlo Park, Calif., provides innovative
database technology that enables the world's leading corporations to
manage and grow their businesses. 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.

Note to Editors: The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix
Software, Inc. or its affiliates, registered in the United States of
America, as indicated by (R), and numerous other countries worldwide:
INFORMIX(R); Dynamic Scalable Architecture(TM); OnLine Dynamic
Server(TM) and DataBlade(R). Any other trademarks or registered
trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their
respective holders.

Informix news releases are available at no charge through Business
Wire's NewsOnDemand fax service. To immediately receive an index of
available releases, call 800/356-0851.

CONTACT: Informix Software, Inc. | Jeff Lettes, 415/926-6326 |
[email protected] | or | Cunningham Communication, Inc. | Joanie
Lawler, 415/858-3788 | [email protected]
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Informix Expands Its Integrated NT Solutions with FastStart Data
Warehousing Solution for Data Warehouses and Data Marts; Informix NT
Solutions Deliver Superior Scalability, Performance and Ease-of-Use
for a Wider Range of Enterprise Applications

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Date: Wednesday, February 19, 1997
Source: Business Wire
----------------------------------------------------------------------

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. -- Informix
Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leading provider of innovative
database technology, today expanded its integrated Windows NT(R)
solutions to include a scalable, FastStart data warehousing solution
that provides users with streamlined and rapid access to
business-critical information for improved decision making and
increased productivity.

Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution for NT takes full
advantage of Informix's native database development for NT and
Microsoft's OLE technology, providing customers with a superior NT
solution.

With the FastStart solution, Informix offers a single, scalable data
warehousing solution that combines Informix's powerful, open database
technology; Informix's MetaCube 3.0 product suite, the industry's only
integrated and extensible relational OLAP (ROLAP) solution; and
Netscape's market-leading Internet technology. Informix further offers
premiere consulting and training services with the FastStart data
warehousing solution to ensure the successful development and
deployment of Informix data warehouses and data marts.

With the addition of the integrated FastStart data warehousing
solution, Informix provides customers a wider range of comprehensive,
innovative NT solutions that deliver superior scalability, performance
and ease-of-use for centralized and distributed applications.

Informix's NT solutions, like its Unix solutions, span a variety of
enterprise applications -- decision support, distributed OLTP and
workgroup, as well as intranet/Internet -- and uniquely enable
extensible, intelligent Web applications with the use of INFORMIX-
Universal Web Connect(TM) product and the Informix Web DataBlade(R)
module.

All of Informix's solutions offer customers the ability to seamlessly
scale applications in NT, heterogeneous and Unix environments, using
the power of its industry-leading Dynamic Scalable Architecture(TM)
(DSA).

"Informix develops its leading database technology natively on both
Unix and NT, providing customers with the utmost scalability and
performance using the same underlying database architecture," said
Brett Bachman, general manager of Enterprise Products at Informix.

"Customers who are considering Windows NT as an enterprise platform
can be secure not only in the technical development of our scalable
technology, but also in our commitment to develop total, NT/Unix
solutions that integrate with their entire enterprise, including the
FastStart data warehousing solution."

About Informix's FastStart Data Warehousing Solution

Informix's integrated, FastStart data warehousing solution is
available on today's two leading platforms -- Unix and NT-- and
addresses the increasing demand for companies to rapidly develop and
deploy scalable data marts and data warehouses using a single
solution. The Informix FastStart data warehousing solution for NT
consists of specialized consulting and training services, as well as
industry-leading technology:

-- INFORMIX(R)-OnLine Dynamic Server(TM) (also available on Unix)

or INFORMIX-OnLine Workgroup Server

-- INFORMIX-MetaCube(TM) 3.0

-- Netscape FastTrack Server(TM) or Netscape Enterprise Server(TM)

-- Informix Professional Services

The FastStart data warehousing solution enables a seamless application
growth path, superior multidimensional data analysis, support for
extensible applications and the ability to develop and deploy either
client/server or intelligent Web-based data warehousing applications
with Informix's Universal Web Connect.

Specialized consulting and training services, as well as Informix
Superstore services, ensure the successful development and deployment
of Informix data warehouses and data marts.

Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution takes full advantage of
Microsoft technology, providing customers with a superior NT solution.
Both INFORMIX-OnLine Workgroup Server and INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic
Server are developed natively for NT, not ported to the platform like
other database solutions.

Additionally, the MetaCube 3.0 product suite, includes tools that
fully exploit Microsoft's OLE technology, further enhancing the tight
integration that Informix maintains for the platform and Microsoft's
standards.

(Note to editors: see related press release on Informix's FastStart
data warehousing solution for more information on the MetaCube 3.0
product's existing and new features.)

Applying the FastStart Data Warehousing Solution

Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution for NT allows companies
to disseminate business-critical information throughout the
enterprise. Industries that rely heavily on regional and local
information to customize services, marketing and sales are the same
businesses that are using NT to tie together information from
distributed branch-offices for better decision support.

Financial institutions, insurance companies, retailers and
telecommunications companies are some of the industries that will be
using Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution to increase
productivity and improve decision making.

For example, retailers may use Informix's FastStart NT solution to
develop better category management, frequent shopper programs,
forecasting and vendor analysis. To improve category management within
a store, a retailer may use Informix's FastStart NT solution, with its
MetaCube 3.0 product suite, to understand customer buying habits in a
particular category of items, such as cereal.

Because Informix's MetaCube product suite provides powerful
multidimensional analysis and decision-support capabilities, a local
retailer is able to successfully and competitively craft
merchandising, promotion and targeted campaigns that attract the
customer and increase sales locally using the Informix FastStart NT
data mart solution.

When the data mart is tied to an Informix FastStart data warehouse,
whether on NT or Unix, the solution serves another important function.

The parent company of the retailer may use the retailer's localized
category management information on a larger scale to track successful
marketing and sales campaigns by category, country or region, again
using the powerful capabilities of the Informix FastStart solution,
with MetaCube 3.0 software, to view the data in numerous ways.

Availability and Pricing

Informix's FastStart data warehousing solution for NT will be
generally available in March 1997, with Informix Professional Services
consulting. Pricing for the Informix FastStart data warehousing
solution is the same for either NT or Unix platform and includes
credit towards on-site consulting, training and an Informix Superstore
engagement.

The FastStart NT solution with INFORMIX-OnLine Workgroup Server, ideal
for data mart applications, has a base price of $64,500. The FastStart
NT solution with INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server, ideal for data
warehousing applications because of its built-in Parallel Data Query
(PDQ) and partitioning capabilities, has a base price of $82,500.

About Informix's Integrated NT Solutions

Informix provides customers with a wide range of scalable, easy-to-use
NT solutions on which to develop and deploy NT and heterogeneous
applications -- decision support, distributed OLTP and workgroup, and
intranet/Intranet. Informix's integrated NT solution for decision
support consists of this FastStart data warehousing solution for data
warehouse and data mart implementations.

Informix's comprehensive Distributed Enterprise Solution for NT
includes comprehensive replication and innovative systems management
tools that allow data to be dispersed, updated and managed easily from
desktop-to-data center in OLTP and workgroup environments.

Informix's intranet/Internet solution for NT provides customers with a
uniquely integrated package of Informix's industry-leading database
technology with Netscape's market-leading Internet technology,
allowing companies to share and distribute information
cost-effectively and quickly.

Informix's NT solutions, in combination with INFORMIX-Universal Web
Architecture and Informix's Web DataBlade module, uniquely enable
intelligent, extensible Web applications that are easily managed. All
of Informix's database solutions, NT and Unix, are enhanced with the
latest technological advancements by Informix and its premiere
partners to deliver superior quality.

About Informix

Informix Software, based in Menlo Park, California, provides
innovative database technology that enables the world's leading
corporations to manage and grow their businesses. 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 .

Note to Editors: The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix
Software, Inc. or its affiliates, registered in the United States of
America, as indicated by (R), and numerous other countries worldwide:
INFORMIX(R); Dynamic Scalable Architecture(TM); OnLine Dynamic
Server(TM); MetaCube(TM); INFORMIX-Universal Web Connect(TM); and
DataBlade(R). All other company and product names may be trademarks of
their respective owners.

Informix news releases are available at no charge through Business
Wire's NewsOnDemand fax service. To immediately receive an index of
available releases, call 800/356-0851.

CONTACT: Informix Software, Inc. | Jeff Lettes, 415/926-6326 |
[email protected] | or | Cunningham Communication, Inc. | Kristin
Kryway, 415/858-3713 | [email protected]
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Industry Leaders Rally Behind INFORMIX-Universal Tools Strategy; Developers
Can Leverage Knowledge of Best-Of-Breed Development Environments To Rapidly
Develop INFORMIX-Universal Server Applications

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Date: Tuesday, April 1, 1997
Source: Business Wire
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. -- Informix
Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leading provider of innovative database
technology, today announced endorsements by Microsoft Corporation,
Symantec, JavaSoft, Powersoft, Forte and Seagate Software for its Universal
Tools Strategy, making it easier to build INFORMIX(R)-Universal Server
applications with tools from these industry leaders.

With the introduction of INFORMIX(R)-Data Director(TM), millions of
developers will be able to leverage their knowledge of best-of-breed
development environments, such as Symantec Cafe, Symantec Visual Cafe and
Visual Cafe Pro, Microsoft's Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Visual J++,
NewEra, Forte and PowerBuilder, to quickly develop applications which
utilize the power and extensibility of Informix database servers. When used
with INFORMIX-Data Director, these tools provide the model-driven,
drag-and-drop functionality to easily extend, manage and deploy rich,
scalable, distributed client/server, Windows, Web and Java applications
directly in the server with a minimal requirement for re-writing code.

"While other database companies predominantly sell their own proprietary
tools, Informix is firmly committed to extending all application
development tools to take full advantage of INFORMIX-Universal Server,"
said Phil White, chairman and CEO of Informix. "With this broad industry
support, companies can quickly develop dynamic new applications which
access any type of corporate information in a manner that saves critical
time to market."

Microsoft Windows developers can use INFORMIX-Data Director with Microsoft
Visual Basic, Visual C++ or Excel to create high performance Informix
applications.

"We are delighted that Informix is facilitating application development for
Visual Studio, Visual Basic Visual J++, and Visual C++ developers writing
for Informix's databases," said Paul Gross, vice president of Microsoft's
tools division. "Informix's support for these environments should enable
millions of developers to more easily build applications for Informix's
databases, such as the INFORMIX-Universal Server."

Web and Java developers using such tools as Symantec's Visual Cafe or
Microsoft's Visual J++ can utilize INFORMIX-Data Director for Java to
visually build client/server applications for Informix utilizing the first
Java database-aware components to support complex data types and JavaSoft's
JDK1.0 Java Beans specification.

"Visual Cafe Pro is the ideal Java development environment to build
applications for INFORMIX-Universal Server," said Gordon Eubanks, chief
executive officer of Symantec. "By using INFORMIX-Data Director for Java
with Visual Cafe Pro, developers can build the most dynamic, content-rich
enterprise Java applications."

"Informix is one of the first database vendors to fully support Sun's JDK
1.1, which includes the JavaBeans Development Kit," said David Spenhoff,
director of product marketing, JavaSoft. "Using INFORMIX-Data Director for
Java plug-in modules, which are written entirely in Java, developers can
build very dynamic and data-rich enterprise client/server applications."

Traditional client/server developers building applications with such tools
as PowerBuilder, NewEra or Forte will also be able to utilize built-in
support for, and direct access to, complex business data stored in
INFORMIX-Universal Server.

"We're very pleased that Informix's new approach is designed to leverage
the Powersoft Tools family, including PowerBuilder, Power++ and PowerJ, for
the development of applications using Informix databases," said Dave
Boswell, vice president and general manager of Powersoft Development Tools
for Sybase, Inc. "Informix's support for the Powersoft tools family
promises to give Powersoft developers effective integrated access to
advanced capabilities of INFORMIX-Universal Server and DataBlade modules."

"The Universal Tools Strategy is a great move for Informix and its
customers," said Rich Schaffer, vice president of marketing at Forte
Software. "In addition to Informix and Forte product integration based on
existing APIs, this new Universal Components capability will allow our
customers to use Forte support of Microsoft's OLE Automation API to easily
connect and use powerful new INFORMIX-Universal Server features."

About Informix

Informix Software, 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 and
http://www.illustra.com .

Note to Editors: The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix
Software, Inc., or its affiliates, registered in the United States of
America, as indicated by (R) and numerous other countries worldwide:
INFORMIX(R), the Informix logo(R), Data Director(TM). All other company and
product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Informix news releases are available at no charge through Business Wire's
NewsOnDemand fax service. To immediately receive an index of available
releases, call 1-800-356-0851.

CONTACT: Informix Software, Inc. | Jeff Lettes, 415/926-6326 |
[email protected] | or | Cunningham Communication, Inc. | Holly Hunter,
415/858-3791 | [email protected]
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Informix Opens U.S. Information Superstores with Proven Data Warehousing
Methodology; Customers Leave Three-Week Program with Tailored,
Best-of-Breed Prototype

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Date: Wednesday, April 9, 1997
Source: Business Wire
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. -- Informix Software,
Inc. (NASDAQ: IFMX), the leading provider of innovative database
technology, today announced at DCIs Data Warehouse World, the expansion of
its worldwide Informix Information Superstores program with the opening of
United States-based stores. Informix's Information Superstores offer a
proven data warehousing methodology, which has received accolades from
numerous participating partners and over 35 international customers.

The three-week Information Superstores data warehousing program allows
customers to build tailored, robust application prototypes -- including
data warehouse and data mart prototypes -- using their own data, to meet
specific business information requirements.

Informix has initially partnered with seven leading data warehouse
technology providers in the U.S. -- Andyne Computing, Ltd.; Brio
Technology, Inc.; Business Objects; Cognos, Inc.; Informatica Corp.; Prism
Solutions, Inc.; and SAS Institute, Inc. -- to provide customers with total
solutions, based on Informix's powerful and scalable database, connectivity
and application development tool technology.

In addition to numerous international locations, Informix is initially
offering its comprehensive, quick-start data warehousing methodology at the
Information Superstores in Denver, Colo. and Edison, New Jersey. Facilities
in other cities throughout the U.S. are also in the planning stages.

Data warehousing has become a critical application for companies within
data-intensive industries, such as finance, retail and telecommunications.
These organizations need to develop their data warehousing applications
effectively and quickly. Informix's Information Superstore data warehouse
methodology removes the guesswork, while addressing the exact information
and technical needs of the customer.

"Many companies realize that building a data warehouse is essential to
their business, but perceive it as complicated, expensive and time
consuming to implement effectively," said Bruce Golden, vice president of
the Data Warehouse Business Development Unit at Informix. "An Informix
Information Superstore engagement dramatically reduces the complexity and
risk of a data warehouse development project by providing customers with
three distinct benefits: utilizing a battle-tested, proven process that
delivers a useful prototype; the opportunity to learn from and work with
data warehouse development and design experts; and the ability to receive
hands-on experience with best-of-breed technology partners in other parts
of the data warehouse food chain. For our customers, this is an invaluable
service."

Unique Interaction

The active participation of customers and technology partners is one of the
key differences between Informix Information Superstores and other
competency centers offered by RDBMS vendors. Informix has partnered with
data warehouse technology experts, to provide its customers with robust,
total solutions. Andyne, Brio Technology, Business Objects and Cognos
provide Informix's Superstore customers with superior front-end query and
reporting tools for data warehouse applications, while Informatica and
Prism supply leading data extraction tools. Informix also partners with SAS
Institute to provide statistical analysis data warehousing tools and a wide
range of hardware partners, such as Digital Equipment Corp.; Hewlett
Packard, Co.; IBM Corp.; NCR Corp.; Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.; Siemens
Pyramid Information Systems, Inc.; Silicon Graphics, Inc.; and Sun
Microsystems, Inc. These partner offerings coupled with Informixs
industry-leading database and relational online analytical processing
(ROLAP) technology, MetaCube, offer customers a complete data warehousing
architecture at their fingertips.

Informix's best-of-breed partner solutions take advantage of Informix's
powerful and scalable database technology. Information Superstore customers
have the flexibility to develop and deploy their data warehouse solutions
with INFORMIX-OnLine Extended Parallel Server and INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic
Server, which is available on NT or Unix. Because Informix's database
technology uses the same underlying industry-leading architecture, data
warehousing applications can scale from pilot applications of a few
gigabytes to data warehouses supporting many terabytes.

Three Steps to Success

Informix's proven Superstore methodology for data warehousing is comprised
of a three-stage prototyping program, usually accomplished over a
three-week timeframe. Stages one and two take place on-site at the
customers facility, where business needs are analyzed and the projects
technical requirements are assessed. During this phase, Informix's data
warehousing specialists help the customer design a logical model and
extract a subset of data to use in the prototype.

Stage three is conducted at an Informix Information Superstore, where a
consulting team joins the customers IT department and business users to
build the tailored data warehouse prototype. The Informix team evaluates
the project, conducts educational workshops and works with the customer to
design and implement the warehouse architecture. When stage three is
complete, the customer is equipped with a finished prototype that can be
used for the initial implementation of the data warehouse or data mart.

"We had envisioned getting some sort of prototype system that we could take
back to the office and show the board, but what we got was the first stage
of what we would implement when we go live," said Richard Goddard,
information technology director for Pizza Hut United Kingdom, who built a
data warehousing application. "Now, I can go back and sell that as a
concept to the board. It really works."

About Informix Information Superstores

Informix Information Superstores are quick-start technology centers that
enable customers to have proof of concept before making new technology
investments. In the Information Superstores, Informix and its
industry-leading hardware and software partners provide a unique
methodology of training, consulting and best-of-breed solutions, based on
Informix's powerful, scalable database technology.

Informix currently operates seven Information Superstores in Australia,
France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Sweden and the United Kingdom. To date,
more than 60 companies worldwide have taken advantage of Informix's
Superstore expertise and methodologies. More information about Informix's
Information Superstores is available via the World Wide Web at
http://www.informix.com/superstores or by calling 1-800-331-7638.

About Informix

Informix Software, based in Menlo Park, Calif., provides innovative
database technology that enables the world's leading corporations to manage
and grow their businesses. 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 .

Note to Editors:

The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix Software, Inc. or its
affiliates, registered in the United States of America, as indicated by,
and numerous other countries worldwide: INFORMIX and OnLine Dynamic Server.
All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective
owners.

Informix news releases are available at no charge through Business Wire's
NewsOnDemand fax service. To immediately receive an index of available
releases, call 1-800-356-0851.

CONTACT: Kristin Kryway | Cunningham Communication, Inc. | 415/858-3713 |
[email protected] | or | Jeff Lettes | Informix Software, Inc. |
415/926-6326 | [email protected]
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Informix Delivers New Functionality to Easy-To-Use INFORMIX-MetaCube
Product Suite; Web Support Brings MetaCube's Powerful, ROLAP Analysis
Capabilities to Any Leading Desktop Environment

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 1997
Source: Business Wire
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. -- Informix Software,
Inc. (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leading provider of innovative database technology,
today announced at DB/Expo 97, new enhancements to the
INFORMIX(r)-MetaCube(tm) product suite, the industry's easiest-to-use and
only integrated relational online analytical processing (ROLAP) solution.
Now available, MetaCube 3.1's Web support brings Informix's powerful ROLAP
business analysis capabilities to any leading desktop environment,
increasing end-user mobility and lowering deployment costs. Additionally,
MetaCube 3.1 provides customers with an easily tailored solution for
delivering analysis and custom business intelligence to users.

New enhancements available in MetaCube 3.1 include complete platform
support for 16-bit and 32-bit desktop environments -- Microsoft Windows
3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT. Also being introduced are Web support and Web
publishing features; an augmented Warehouse optimizer; enhanced user
interface for MetaCube for Excel; as well as a MetaCube software developer
kit for customized analysis and report generation.

Based on an open, extensible framework optimized for Informix's Dynamic
Scalable Architecture(tm) (DSA), MetaCube is a strategic component of
Informix's data warehousing solutions. With MetaCube and Informix's
high-performance, scalable database servers, Informix delivers information
from the data warehouse to the desktop in a powerful, intuitive way that
corresponds to how decision makers analyze their businesses.

"Data warehouse applications are increasingly being used to gain or sustain
competitive advantage. With MetaCube and Informix's data warehousing
solutions, our customers can turn cartwheels over their competition without
pulling a leg muscle," said Tony Rodoni, executive director for Informix's
Data Warehousing Solutions. "This combination enables Informix end-users to
easily harness the power of accurate, timely information, while providing
them with a way to quickly customize their information to suit specific
business requirements."

MetaCube 3.1 -- Tightly Integrated ROLAP

With the introduction of MetaCube 3.0 in September 1996, Informix delivered
unique data sampling capabilities, which allows users to analyze data for
trends and patterns in record time, and support for extensibility.

Informix has further enhanced its MetaCube product suite with the following
additions in MetaCube 3.1:

Complete platform support -- MetaCube supports 16- and 32-bit applications
for Windows 3.1, Windows NT and Windows 95, as well as the Web-enabled
desktop;

Availability of Web publishing -- With version 3.1, users can publish and
view OLAP reports from any Web-enabled desktop, increasing user-mobility
while lowering deployment and user-support costs. Administrators and
technically savvy users can also schedule and publish reports for others to
view;

Improved Warehouse Optimizer -- MetaCube's Warehouse Optimizer is a
warehouse management tool that analyzes warehouse designs and usage and
then recommends performance enhancement options, simplifying the management
of today's complex data warehouses. Informix has enhanced the performance
of the optimizer in version 3.1, delivering up to 50 percent faster
warehouse analysis;

Enhanced MetaCube for Excel -- MetaCube's Excel add-in now includes an
enhanced, wizard-based user interface, providing ease-of-use. This tool
allows Excel users to define and execute multidimensional queries against
their Informix data warehouse through Excel with no programming;

MetaCube Software Developer Kit for Snap-Ins -- Now using the MetaCube
Software Developer's Kit for Snap-Ins, technically savvy users can create
custom business-centric analysis. Through easy-to-use programming wizards,
the MetaCube engine can be extended to perform analysis tailored to each
customer's specific business requirements.

Best-of-Breed Advantage

Informix partners with innovative data warehouse technology providers to
ensure the delivery of high-performance, easy-to-use solutions to our
customers. To build a best-of-breed ROLAP solution with MetaCube, customers
may choose from the tools available in the MetaCube product suite, or they
can choose from leading partner offerings from Andyne, Business Objects,
Cognos and Seagate Software. Additionally, Informix is partnering with
other data extraction and load technology providers, such as D2K, who
provide innovative solutions for delivering data via "push" technology to
the MetaCube analysis engine. (Editor note: please see related press
release from D2K for additional details.)

Product Availability and Pricing

INFORMIX-MetaCube 3.1 is now available. Pricing for the MetaCube 3.x
product line starts at $40,000. ($1,500 per user with a 10-user minimum,
plus $25,000 per CPU).

MetaCube 3.1 is also currently available with Informix's integrated,
scalable FastStart Data Warehousing Solution for data warehouses or data
marts.

About INFORMIX-MetaCube Product Suite

Informix's MetaCube is a comprehensive family of decision-support software
designed specifically to deliver high-performance, custom analysis of data
from a data warehouse or data mart to the desktop. The product suite is
based on an open, extensible architecture that leverages the
high-performance and scalability of Informix's database servers with
industry-leading Dynamic Scalable Architecture, delivering a unique, secure
architectural growth path for customers.

The MetaCube product suite includes the following components:

ROLAP Analysis Engine

INFORMIX-MetaCube Analysis Engine is a sophisticated ROLAP engine that
powers high-performance data analysis in a data warehouse or data mart
environment;

Tools for analysts and end-users

INFORMIX-MetaCube Explorer is Informix's easy-to-use ad hoc decision
support tool for end-user access and analysis;

INFORMIX-MetaCube for Excel allows customer to bring MetaCube's powerful
multidimensional analysis to the Microsoft Excel environment;

Warehouse administration tools

INFORMIX-MetaCube Warehouse Manager is a point-and-click graphical tool
designed for the DBA or warehouse manager for creating and managing data
warehouse architectures;

INFORMIX-MetaCube Scheduler is an easy-to-administer batch processor that
manages any server-based task, such as a query or data load;

INFORMIX-MetaCube QueryBack manages long-running and recurring user queries
transparently;

INFORMIX-MetaCube Aggregator creates and maintains aggregates in the data
warehouse or data mart;

INFORMIX-MetaCube Sampler creates and maintains sample tables allowing
MetaCube to estimate query results and generate huge performance increases.

Together, this suite of products delivers unmatched performance,
ease-of-use and management, and customization for data analysis
applications through integration with Informix's powerful database servers.

The MetaCube product suite supports Unix or NT for server-side functions
and Windows 3.1, Windows NT, Windows 95 and Web client-side functions.

About Informix's Data Warehousing Solutions

With the enhancement of its MetaCube product suite, Informix continues to
provide customers with innovative methodologies and powerful, scalable data
warehousing technology, ensuring hundreds of successful and effective data
warehouse and data mart implementations.

Informix's data warehousing customers may leverage the power of Informix's
database servers -- such as INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server(tm) and
INFORMIX-OnLine Extended Parallel Server -- in combination with the
MetaCube product suite and a variety of industry-leading data warehouse
tools and technologies to manage essential business information and
analysis. Additionally, Informix's Data Warehousing Methodology, available
in its Information Superstores, enables customers to quickly build working
prototypes, combining partner technologies and the guidance of experts to
ensure long-term return on investment and quick implementations.

About Informix

Informix Software, based in Menlo Park, Calif., provides innovative
database technology that enables the world's leading corporations to manage
and grow their businesses. 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 .

Note to Editors: The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix
Software, Inc. or its affiliates, registered in the United States of
America, as indicated by (r), and numerous other countries worldwide:
INFORMIX(r), MetaCube(tm), Dynamic Scalable Architecture, OnLine Dynamic
Server(tm) and OnLine Extended Parallel Server. All other company and
product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Informix news releases are available at no charge through Business Wire's
NewsOnDemand fax service. To immediately receive an index of available
releases, call 1-800/356-0851.

CONTACT: Cunningham Communication, Inc. | Kristin Kryway, 415/858-3713 |
[email protected] | or | Informix Software, Inc. | Jeff Lettes,
415/926-6326 | [email protected]
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