REDMOND, Wash. -- June 23, 1992 -- Sybase, Inc. and Microsoft Corporation
announced today their agreement to extend their cooperative client-server
strategy for SQL Server to embrace the Microsoft Windows Open Services
Architecture (WOSA). In a related release, also today, the two companies
will enable the development of new 32-bit applications for the high-end
Windows NT operating system. Specifically, the two companies are
announcing:

.  Microsoft SQL Server Software Development Kit for Windows NT, enabling
the delivery of advanced SQL Server applications on the new 32-bit Windows
NT platform.

.  An agreement to jointly develop optimized driver support for the
Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) API within the framework of
the SYBASE Open Client architecture.

ODBC is the means to provide host independent data access services to
Windows client applications within Microsoft's WOSA.

Today' s announcements represent a broadening of the two companies'
five-year strategic alliance to deliver superior database technology for
client-server computing. SQL Server, available from both Sybase and
Microsoft, is the leading client-server relational database management
system (RDBMS) for online, enterprise wide applications. Through strong
support from the ISV community, SQL Server today supports more Windows
operating system-based front-end products than all other database servers
combined.

"These announcements are the latest results of the extensive work we've
been doing with Sybase on SQL Server," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO
of Microsoft. "As a working partner, Sybase was a major contributor in the
very beginning of the ODBC design effort. Both companies will continue to
work closely together to provide developers a tightly integrated, scalable
platform that offers customers transparent access to enterprise-wide
information. "

"ODBC echoes our interoperability strategy and we expect a wide range of
desktop applications to take advantage of ODBC access to databases," said
Mark Hoffman, president and CEO of Sybase. "Sybase is committed to working
with Microsoft to support Windows clients and servers with our advanced
client-server architecture. Windows NT will provide SQL Server with a
robust, scalable solution to integrate the growing base of Windows-based,
business applications into online, enterprise-wide computing."

Microsoft SQL Server SDK for Windows NT

The SQL Server Software Development Kit for Windows NT is targeted at both
corporate developers and commercial ISVs who are seeking to migrate their
Windows-based, client-server applications to the Windows NT platform. The
kit contains native Win32 API-based versions of SQL Server's DB-Libran,
client interface and Open Data services API. Open Data services is based
on Sybase's Open Server technology. Developers can use the kit with
Microsoft SQL Server 4.2 today, or with a native 32-bit release of SQL
Server for Windows NT when that product is available in the future.

There are more than 150 Windows-based, SQL Server applications that range
from client-server development tools to complete turn-key business
solutions being developed for major vertical markets such as banking,
financial accounting, payroll, publishing, medical, human resources,
manufacturing and insurance.

Microsoft Windows NT is an advanced version of the Windows operating system
that supports both high-end desktop applications and Server applications.
Windows NT will offer a high-performance architecture that is scalable to
multiprocessor hardware and RISC systems, providing an advanced platform
for SQL Server applications. The preliminary SQL Server SDK for Windows NT
is scheduled to be available in the same timeframe as the Win32
preliminary SDK scheduled for July. Priced at $295, it will be available
from Microsoft Systems Software Sales at (800) 227-4679.

ODBC Driver for SQL Server

In related efforts to integrate Windows more tightly into enterprise-wide,
client-server computing, the two companies are committing to deliver a SQL
Server ODBC driver for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Sybase will
also incorporate ODBC into the SYBASE Open Client application programming
interface (API) that interfaces to a wide variety of Sybase-supported
platforms including UNIX, VAX, VMS, RISC/ULTRIX, NetWare and IBM
mainframes. SYBASE Open Client also includes DB-Library, a call-level API
for high performance applications.

ODBC is a broadly supported, open, vendor-neutral database connectivity API
that provides access to a variety of PCs, minicomputer and mainframe
systems in an easy, consistent manner. It allows developers to write one
set of code that accesses many types of databases and makes it simple for
customers to access data from a wide variety of back-end services within a
single application. A major step in implementing Microsoft's vision of
Information at your fingertips, ODBC is also a major piece of the
Microsoft WOSA.

WOSA provides a single, open-ended interface to enterprise computing
environments while hiding the complexities from end users. WOSA also
enables applications for Windows to connect to all the services they need
across multiple computing environments.

Sybase, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBS) develops and markets the SYBASE system, a
leading client/server-based RDBMS product family for on-line,
enterprise-wide applications. The company offers proven technology
combined with services and alliances to provide customers with complete
desktop to mainframe solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif.,
Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force,
distributors, OEMs, VARs and systems integrators.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") has become the worldwide leader
in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

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