PLATINUM Plans to Acquire Locus to Architect Open Systems Management Solutions

Business Wire, April 12, 1995

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Il.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 1995--PLATINUM technology, inc., (NASDAQ: PLAT) today announced it has agreed in principle to acquire Locus Computing Corporation, of Inglewood, California, a leading provider of open systems software consulting services for IT users and suppliers. This acquisition enhances PLATINUM's strategy to lead the systems management and data warehousing markets by cost-effectively providing its customers with the skills needed for successful implementation of large scale, mission critical client/server systems in the Open Enterprise Environment (OEE).

PLATINUM has agreed in principle to exchange approximately $33 million of PLATINUM stock for all of the outstanding shares of Locus. Locus will become a wholly owned subsidiary of PLATINUM. The transaction is subject to the parties entering into definitive agreements and the satisfaction of conditions customary for transactions of this nature. It is expected that the acquisition will qualify as a tax free reorganization and be accounted for as a pooling of interests.

"The OEE, the heterogeneous computing network that now exists in most corporations today, causes a new set of management problems for IT managers," said Andrew J. Filipowski, president and CEO of PLATINUM technology, inc. "By acquiring Locus, PLATINUM will be even more able to provide its customers with one of the highest levels of consulting and technological talent needed to develop and improve distributed computing within the OEE -- which includes MVS-, UNIX-, and Windows-based platforms and may also include many other operating systems platforms such as VMS, AS400, and OS/2 systems."

"With this acquisition, PLATINUM customers will benefit enormously from the outstanding technology talent and experience for which Locus is known," said Gerald Popek, Locus chairman and CTO. "Locus' expertise will greatly advance PLATINUM's strategy in the open systems environment."

"With over 1,500 staff years of UNIX consulting experience, Locus has been a leader in solving the problems of implementing large scale mission critical client/server systems," said Locus president and CEO, Martin Waters. "The expertise Locus has in the architecture assessment and design of client/server infrastructure and its related tools will truly compliment PLATINUM's strategy by assisting IT managers with the development problems that can occur in the OEE."

About Locus Computing Corporation

Locus Computing Corporation is the largest independent provider of open systems software consulting services to the industry. It partners with IT users and suppliers to design and build the systems infrastructure for open, enterprise-wide client/server systems in a variety of UNIX, DOS, Windows, OS/2 and NT- based, cross-platform computing environments. The company also designs new applications to improve and leverage both cluster processing and distributed computing, which are key elements of this infrastructure. Locus provides services for architecture development, system design, research, support and maintenance, and cross-platform integration.

PLATINUM's Strategic Direction

This planned acquisition is a key part of PLATINUM's strategy to rapidly move into systems management and data warehousing markets. The company also recently announced plans to acquire Answer Systems, Inc., a leader in client/server help desk solutions; and merge with Trinzic Corporation, a major developer of application development, data warehousing, and client/server tools and services. The company also recently completed the acquisitions of BrownStone Solutions, Inc., a vendor of client/server repository technology; SQL Software Corporation, a provider of Windows-based development tools for managing multiple relational databases; Viatech Development, a provider of electronic software distribution tools; Autosystems Corporation, a UNIX job management tool supplier; and RelTech Group, a leader in relational-based data repository software.

Already the leader in DB2, client/server relational database management tools, and data warehousing, PLATINUM now offers a comprehensive line of products and services to help corporations manage their Open Enterprise Environment.

CONTACT: Michelle Edelman David Kitchen/Wendy DeFeudis

PLATINUM technology, inc. Copithorne & Bellows

(708) 620-5116, ext. 1730 (617) 252-0606