Centura Software Becomes Gupta Technologies; Gupta Technologies Solidifies Management Team With Industry Veterans From Oracle, JNI Corporation and Ingres

Business Wire, Oct 8, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2001

Gupta Technologies, LLC (www.guptaworldwide.com), formerly Centura Software, a leading provider of embedded relational databases and high-end 4GL development tools, today officially announced its new name and the addition of three members to its executive management team. Vice President of American Sales David Bucknam and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Dietmar Schnabel join Gupta's CEO Ernst Gemassmer and Vice President of Marketing Tom Seaman to round out the company's executive management team. Also joining the executive team as Vice President of Engineering is Chuck Stevenson, who previously headed Gupta's consulting operation. Gupta Technologies, LLC is owned by Platinum Equity, www.peh.com, a leader in acquiring and operating mission-critical technology companies.

Earlier this year, Gupta Technologies announced a renewed focus on its core technologies, databases and development solutions. Gupta embarked upon building an experienced team that could continue the company's success as a pioneer and leading developer of embedded databases and development tools. With more than 50,000 licenses and over 1,000,000 users, Gupta products are widely used in financial services, healthcare, retail, and other sectors. Customers include such Global 2000 companies as Deloitte & Touche and Symbol Technologies.

"Platinum is very pleased with Gupta's strategic direction and the solid leadership that its management team has provided," said Robert Joubran, Platinum Equity Treasurer and Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations at Platinum Equity. "Gupta is in a very strong position to leverage its core technologies for continued growth and success. Thus far, Gupta's progress indicates that it will continue to be an important provider of databases and tools."

"We have strengthened Gupta's leadership with the addition of several seasoned veterans that have extensive consulting, sales and IT experience," said Gupta CEO Ernst Gemassmer. "Their leadership and experience will be invaluable to us as we continue to focus on advancing our core technologies and deliver award-winning products. We have received positive feedback from our customers, and some of our most significant customers in North America and Europe have renewed their commitment to Gupta by expanding their use of our technology."

Executive Profiles

Chuck Stevenson

Mr. Stevenson has over 18 years of experience in IT, including positions as Principal Consultant with Ingres, and Total Quality Management (TQM) Consultant and Interim Facility Director for one of the world's largest consulting organizations. He has been recognized for his successful implementation of innovative and effective quality management techniques in Who's Who Among Young American Professionals and the International Who's Who of Professionals. Mr. Stevenson has provided advice and direction to Fortune 100 companies on project management, implementing technology in the workplace, and software quality.

David Bucknam

Mr. Bucknam is a veteran of the database industry, having held both global and regional sales management positions at Oracle, PointBase, and Informix. His responsibilities include all sales in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Mr. Bucknam earned his B.A. from Heidelberg College and his M.B.A. from Michigan State University.

Dietmar Schnabel

Mr. Schnabel joins Gupta with extensive sales and management expertise in Europe. Most recently, Mr. Schnabel served as Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa for JNI Corp. His sales experience includes management positions at Maxtor GmbH and Adaptec.

About Gupta Technologies

Gupta Technologies, www.guptaworldwide.com, specializes in embedded relational databases and high-end 4GL development tools for e-business. The company's core products include SQLBase and Centura Team Developer (CTD) 2000. SQLBase is a relational database that features the highest level of security in the market, with more than one million copies in use worldwide. Gupta has sales offices and distributors in 46 countries, and counts hundreds of Global 2000 companies as its customers. Gupta is based in Redwood Shores, and is owned by Platinum Equity.