Applix Kicks Off Distribution of Linux Software Through New Partnership With LinuxIT

Business Wire, Dec 16, 1999

WESTBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1999--

One of Europe's Largest Linux Resellers/Distributors Teams up

with Applix to Offer Applixware Office

Automation Software to UK Market

Applix, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLX), a leading supplier of office suite software for Linux and other major operating systems, today announced its office in the UK has established a new partnership with LinuxIT, one of Europe's largest Linux software resellers and distributors. Under the terms of this agreement, LinuxIT will be the distributor of the Applixware office automation software for Linux.

Before this partnership, all UK orders for Applixware for Linux were processed through Applix's e-commerce web site. However, unprecedented demand from the VAR community for Linux software and services has driven the need for a distribution partner. Linux is now the fastest growing operating system in Europe.

Peter Dawes, Sales Director, LinuxIT commented, "Applixware is the most comprehensive and proven office automation suite for Linux. Its unique customisation capabilities set it apart from other tools and make it ideal for the business and power user. Many major private and public sector companies already rely on Applixware. We already have a high demand to fulfil and expect to see this demand increase in the coming year."

Jonathan Forrest, Managing Director of Applix UK commented, " Everyone is looking at Linux. This isn't just another business partnership - it's the first step in our plan to penetrate the UK Linux business market. Linux is now a serious contender as the corporate operating system and we are pleased to have teamed up with one of the leading European resellers and distributors for Linux software."

Applixware Office for Linux 4.4.2 has won a number of prestigious industry awards in the US, including Linux Magazine's `Cool Product' award last November. In this evaluation, Applixware Office for Linux measured favorably against both commercial and open source productivity suites including Sun Microsystem's Star Office, Corel's WordPerfect for Linux, Koffice's KDE Office and Gnome's Gnome Workshop. Applixware Office for Linux was hailed for its combination of full-featured productivity applications, ease-of-use, extensibility and ability to read and write Microsoft Office documents.

About Applix

Applix, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLX), headquartered in Westboro, MA, is a leading provider of office productivity and analytic applications for the Linux, UNIX and Microsoft platforms. Applixware Office is the only office suite designed for and integrated with the Linux and UNIX environments. Applix SHELF is an open source application development and deployment system. With Applix Anyware, applications are deployed to any standard web browser using Java. Applix iTM1 is an on-line analytical processing solution for decision support and real-time business analysis. Smartbeak.com is the Linux customer support and collaboration web site. Applix iEnterprise is an Internet-based customer relationship management (CRM) solution. The Company's products are available on a variety of operating systems and platforms, including Red Hat Linux (NASDAQ:RHAT), SuSE Linux, Caldera Linux, Turbo Linux and VA Linux (NASDAQ:LNUX), Sun Microsystems Solaris (NASDAQ:SUNW), IBM AIX (NYSE:IBM) and Windows 95 & 98 or Windows NT. More information can be found at http://www.applix.com.

About LinuxIT

LinuxIT, based in the UK, distributes and resells `best of breed' Linux Software products throughout Europe. LinuxIT aims to be The European distributor and reseller for the best of Linux related products, literature and books. Their mission is to supply the best value for their customers and actively promote the proliferation of Linux across Europe.

LinuxIT offers a select range of excellent support and services combined with technically strong products. This allows Linux developers to maximise their performance, and ensure successful completion of their projects within deadline. LinuxIT Technical services was started as a complement to LinuxIT, whose aim it is to provide consultancy, training and Internet services to the Linux software development community. For further information on LinuxIT, please visit http://www.linuxit.com

Notes to Investors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Specifically, comments related to the demand for, revenue from and acceptance of the Company's products and the Company's position in the markets, may be considered forward-looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the rate of growth in market demand for the products; the acceptance of the Company's products; intense competitive conditions; rapid technological change; frequent new product introductions and evolving domestic and international standards, which may render existing products and services obsolete. Refer to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 for a list of factors as discussed under "Risk Factors". Applix does not undertake - and specifically declines any obligation - to publicly release the result of any revision which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.