Business Objects and Tandem Bring Integrated OLAP To Large-Scale Data Warehousing; Partnership broadens Tandem's comprehensive tool suite for decision support

Business Wire, May 20, 1996

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 1996--Tandem Computers Incorporated today announced a joint marketing agreement with Business Objects, a leading supplier of enterprise decision support tools.

The relationship will expand the range of choice available to Tandem decision support customers to include BusinessObjects 4.0, a leading integrated query, reporting, and online analytical processing (OLAP) tool.

BusinessObjects 4.0 is a powerful client tool that allows end users to perform sophisticated analysis -- including drill downs -- on information drawn online from Tandem server-based data warehouses. By integrating querying and reporting with online analysis, BusinessObjects 4.0 provides a common user interface to a broad range of decision support functionality on a wide range of clients including Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX(r) system-based platforms. Further, it is designed to support the enterprise-level information delivery environments so well addressed by Tandem.

"As a leading provider of enterprise decision support tools, Business Objects provides critical functionality as a front end tool to the data warehouse," said Bernard Liataud, president and CEO of Business Objects. "We are pleased to be partnering with Tandem -- our mutual customers will be able to take advantage of Tandem's scalability, performance, and ability to handle large-scale data warehouse implementations."

"Partnerships with innovative companies like Business Objects are key to our ability to provide best-of-breed choice as we integrate data warehousing projects," said Chuck Buffum, director of Tandem's Decision Support business unit. "BusinessObjects 4.0 adds critical OLAP functionality to our suite of decision support solutions for helping customers realize the business value of their information."

BusinessObjects 4.0, introduced in March 1996, includes a BusinessObjects Explorer component that allows end users to slice, dice, and drill down anywhere on relational, OLAP server and flat file personal data. This functionality is integrated with the BusinessObjects Reporter component for querying and reporting. The BusinessObjects Supervisor component provides the graphical environment for user and security management in a large-scale decision support environment.

Other integrated components include the BusinessObjects Document Agent for middle- and third-tier server-based scheduling, processing, and distribution of reports and the BusinessObjects Designer to provide users with a business representation of data in the warehouse.

Business Objects joins Tandem's Information Delivery Partnership program, which provides customers with maximum flexibility and the widest range of choice from a single source worldwide. BusinessObjects 4.0 will be available to Tandem customers this summer.

Founded in 1974, Tandem Computers Incorporated (NYSE:TDM) designs and delivers technology solutions that companies rely on to compete in a business world that runs 24 hours a day. Tandem's revolutionary ServerNet architecture provides virtually unlimited bandwidth for media-rich, data-driven commercial applications. A US$2.3 billion company headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Tandem has offices, strategic partners, and providers in more than 50 countries around the world.

Business Objects (NASDAQ:BOBJY) is a leading provider of enterprise decision support tools that deliver access to data stored in corporate databases, data warehouses, and packaged applications. The company pioneered the market for business-intelligent decision support tools in 1990 with the introduction of its flagship product, BusinessObjects which has been licensed in more than 50 countries to over 2,900 customer sites and 160,000 users worldwide. Business Objects generated over $60M in revenue in 1995. -0-

Note to Editors: Tandem and the Tandem logo are trademarks of Tandem Computers Incorporated. BusinessObjects is a trademark of Business Objects S.A. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Tandem Computers Inc.

Sally Smith, 408/285-7515

World Wide Web Home Page Address: http://www.tandem.com