Pool-Maker Uses Metagon's DQbroker to Join Disparate Unisys Mainframe & NT Data for Business Intelligence; Accounting Data on Disconnected Platforms Seamlessly Joins with Simple Query

Business Wire, April 17, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2000

Metagon Technologies, LLC, the enterprise data access innovator, today announced that Anthony & Sylvan Pools, America's leading pool builder, has implemented Metagon's DQbroker(R) to integrate corporate accounting and payroll data residing on disparate platforms. With offices in twelve states and more than seven hundred employees, the pool-maker recently installed a new SQL-based payroll system to keep up with the constantly changing state tax and personnel reporting requirements. The new payroll system resides on an Microsoft NT platform, but the accounting system is resident on a mainframe. This made it impossible to run critical management and accounting reports utilizing the payroll data. DQbroker, Metagon's server-based fully distributed data access solution, now enables Anthony & Sylvan to quickly and seamlessly access and join the disparate data to run the reports while allowing employees to continue using familiar tools.

Ron DeWitt, MIS director for Anthony & Sylvan Pools said, "We had several existing mainframe databases for accounts payable, general ledger and works-in-progress that needed to be accessed for reporting purposes. Unfortunately our new SQL-based payroll application was not compatible with our existing mainframe data. DQbroker bridged that gap for us, making the report writing a simple process. I can now report across multiple databases at the same time or join databases at my discretion.

"The DQbroker solution allowed me to keep using my existing reporting tools while I simultaneously work with mainframe and NT-based data. I didn't have to go through a whole new learning process, which really saved a lot of time. The implementation took less than a week, and Metagon's people were very helpful."

Lance Becker, CEO of Metagon Technologies said, "Data integration on disparate platforms is the number one issue for major corporations today. MIS departments cannot provide quality reports and answers to strategic business issues for their end-users without easy-to-use tools. Metagon's DQbroker delivers a rapidly deployed, seamless solutions to serve business users on every level."

Anthony & Sylvan Pools (www.anthony-sylvan.com) is America's largest pool builder, with over 44 sales offices in 26 major metropolitan markets in the United States. The company has established a reputation for quality and exceptional craftsmanship for more than 50 years with over 330,000 residential in-ground swimming pool installations nationwide and their advanced mulitmedia sales presentation, interactive CD-ROM, and elegant brochure give the prospective customer a visual tour of their capabilities. Anthony & Sylvan Pools is truly "Where America Swims."

About Metagon Technologies LLC

Metagon Technologies (www.metagon.com) provides enterprise data access software tools that deliver a single logical view of multiple, heterogeneous data sources, simultaneously and in real time, transforming businesses into i-businesses. Metagon's technology allows users to view, modify, and join any number of disparate data regardless of vendor, geography, or platform, enabling customers and partners to create flexible and scalable solutions for the Internet, data access, business intelligence, customer relationship management, data warehousing, supply chain management, and enterprise reporting. Metagon's tools also enable VARs, Resellers, and consultants to leverage enterprise data access and enterprise ETL capabilities in their own products and solutions. Metagon has over 15 years experience with enterprise data access as a division of Decision Support, Inc., the leader in data access and reporting solutions for the Unisys marketplace. Metagon, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves a diverse global customer base, spanning multiple industries, including finance, manufacturing and software development.