PLATINUM technology's InfoBeacon relational OLAP and InfoPump data movement products are key components of Microsoft's Alliance for data warehousing; InfoBeacon and InfoPump to provide complementary functionality to Microsoft SQL Server in data mart and data warehouse implementations

Business Wire, Sept 17, 1996

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1996-- PLATINUM technology, inc., today announced that two of its market-leading software tools have been included in Microsoft Corporation's new data mart/data warehousing alliance, announced today by Microsoft. Microsoft is working with acknowledged leaders in the data warehousing market and has selected PLATINUM tools as components for its data analysis and data movement solutions.

"We see Microsoft(R) SQL Server(tm) as the heart of the data mart, surrounded by high quality products that complete the picture," said Jim Ewel, Microsoft's group product manager, Microsoft SQL Server. "We feel that it is important to our customer base that we identify and recommend market-tested tools from leading vendors. PLATINUM's InfoBeacon is the only relational online analytical processing (OLAP) tool we have chosen that directly accesses and optimizes Microsoft SQL Server. We selected InfoPump because it is a recognized leader in the data movement/replication marketplace."

"Data movement and replication are complex processes and vital components in the creation of data marts and data warehouses," said Tom DePasquale, vice president of PLATINUM technology's Data Warehousing business unit. "As part of the Microsoft solution, InfoPump will enable users to execute their data movement and data warehousing activities on the platform of their choice, using data stored in a wide variety of environments."

"We find more and more organizations choosing enterprise OLAP products as the strategic technology for deriving value from their data mart and data warehouse investments," said Larry Barbetta, vice president of PLATINUM's Business Intelligence unit. "As the leading relational DBMS for data marts, Microsoft SQL Server is a perfect data source for the InfoBeacon 'Virtual Cube,' which provides users with the engine for their analysis. InfoBeacon and InfoBeacon Web add value to Microsoft SQL Server in data mart and data warehouses with performance, functionality, scalability, and ease-of-use. InfoBeacon provides the only relational OLAP option in the Microsoft Alliance for data marts."

About InfoPump

Introduced in 1993, InfoPump is the first server-based tool to provide bi-directional replication of data between unlike databases on multiple platforms. InfoPump is used in data mart and data warehousing implementations to replicate data on servers for end-user access and facilitates the sharing of data between more than 30 database management systems and file structures on mainframe, server, and client systems, as well as groupware products like Lotus Notes. InfoPump is programmable, allowing complete customization of data translation and movement.

InfoPump has been optimized to provide full 32-bit implementations for the Windows NT(R) operating system. The Microsoft Windows NT-based version provides support for the following databases: Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle 7, Sybase, Informix Online, DB2 for MVS, DB2 for AS 400, Lotus Notes 4.0, flat files and legacy databases via PLATINUM InfoHub/DRDA.

About InfoBeacon and InfoBeacon Web

PLATINUM InfoBeacon is a next-generation, OLAP product for data mart and data warehousing implementations. The distributed, three-tier architecture of InfoBeacon delivers performance and functionality that to date has only been available in OLAP products based on proprietary, multi-dimensional databases. InfoBeacon also provides enterprise scalability and an open architecture not found in these proprietary solutions. InfoBeacon overcomes the shortcomings of other relational OLAP products by providing rapid response, full analytical processing capabilities, database write-back capabilities, schema flexibility, and complete security.

InfoBeacon Web is a server-based OLAP product that provides users with the ability to analyze their data from any web browser without using any additional client side software in a fully secure Intranet/Internet environment. InfoBeacon Web operates as a high performance, multi-user gateway between the web server and the multi-threaded InfoBeacon application server. This "server-centric" approach enables full interaction with InfoBeacon from any web browser on any client platform. InfoBeacon Web also takes advantage of high-speed application programming interfaces from leading web server vendors, including Microsoft ISAPI and the Microsoft Internet Information Server.

About PLATINUM technology

PLATINUM technology, inc., delivers the payoff on information technology (IT) investments by providing tools that enable organizations to efficiently manage next-generation computing solutions while leveraging existing and legacy systems. The company provides application development, business intelligence, database administration, data warehousing, and systems management software solutions for the Open Enterprise Environment (OEE) -- the networked computing environment that incorporates mainframe, desktop, and open systems.

Additional information about PLATINUM technology, inc. is available via the World Wide Web at http://www.platinum.com. For pricing and sales information, call PLATINUM at 1-800-442-6861 or 1-630-620-5000, or send e-mail to info@platinum.com. Microsoft, SQL Server, and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All PLATINUM product names and product category names are trademarks of PLATINUM technology, inc. Other company names and product names referenced herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective corporation.