PALO ALTO, CA, JULY 27, 1992 -- Objective Software, Inc. today announced
SpreadBase, a category-based modeling tool that combines the user
interface familiarity and analytical flexibility of a spreadsheet, with
the power of a relational database to offer a major productivity leap for
business analysts. SpreadBase, first available for the Macintosh with a
Windows version under development, will ship in 60-90 days. SpreadBase is
priced at $695.

SpreadBase was developed to fill a major gap in the market between current
tools for business analysis and the need for tools that can integrate,
respond to, consolidate, and dynamically present data at the desktop. The
product, a result of two years of research and development, is targeted at
desktop business analysts -- CFOs, product managers, sales managers,
forecast analysts, manufacturing planners, customer service supervisors,
etc. -- whose analysis and data modeling issues include:

* constant change in the structure and perspective of business;
* intelligent import of data from databases and spreadsheets;
* linking and consolidating information across groups of people,
  across time, and across business units;
* dynamic reporting of information, shortening the time from
  analysis to presentation.

"The tools used today for business analysis haven't fundamentally changed
since we developed VisiCalc in 1979," states Richard Melmon, Objective
Software president and CEO. "Objective Software was founded to create a
new class of software that provides a radical productivity improvement in
data analysis at the desktop. We believe SpreadBase, the first
category-based modeling tool, is that product. It is the first to deliver
the modeling ease of the spreadsheet and the category power of the
database." Category-Based Modeling

The key to SpreadBase's power and flexibility is the concept of
"categories." In SpreadBase, the user builds and manipulates business
models by category -- a set of "items" with similar characteristics. For
instance, the category MONTH could have the items January, February, and
March; the category REGION could have Eastern, Western, Northern, and
Southern as items.

The user sets up a model in SpreadBase either by entering data into a
matrix view or by importing tabular data. As the model is created,
SpreadBase identifies sets of items with common characteristics. For
instance, SpreadBase automatically knows that Porsche, Mustang, and Jaguar
belong to the same category. The user can then give the category a
meaningful name such as CAR.

In SpreadBase, data and related information -- views, formulas, formats,
and rollups -- are specified by category rather than by individual item.
When data for a new item, such as BMW, is added to the model, SpreadBase
handles it in the same manner as the previously entered CAR items. Thus,
BMW information will be shown properly in all views and will be included
when summaries for the CAR category are created.

Category-based modeling is only possible because SpreadBase is built on top
of an internal relational database, so that data entered into SpreadBase
cells has a one-to-one correspondence with an underlying data record. This
architecture is unique to SpreadBase and makes it possible for data and
all related information to be specified by category. For example, when a
user creates a matrix view, SpreadBase understands that cell B4 should
contain the unit sales forecast in the REGION "Eastern" for the CAR
"Mustang" during the MONTH "January" and retrieves the value $11,000 from
its internal database automatically.

In spreadsheets, data is stored in cells and handled in a positional,
physical manner, with no underlying knowledge of relationships between
information. Thus, cell B4 simply contains the number 11000 that was
manually entered in that physical location. As new items are added or a
spreadsheet is reorganized, the data value must be relocated manually.

In SpreadBase, data consistency across multiple views is automatic because
each view draws on data and related information from the underlying
database. Category-based modeling is applied to three views of
information:

* Matrix views allow presentation and manipulation of data in the row,
column, and sheet dimensions. Outlines are used to present and modify
parent/child relationships and provide drill-down and drill-up
facilities.

* Table views provide row or record-oriented presentation of data with
facilities to select, sort, and summarize information.

* Graph views support real-time visual analysis through area, line, bar,
column, pie, and scatter charts.

Since all views are defined by category, additional matrix, table, and
chart views can be created on the fly with minimal effort. Existing views
adapt as information is added or changed.

The SpreadBase Spreadsheet Module facilitates conversion of data and
formulas from existing spreadsheet files. The Report Publishing Module
integrates SpreadBase views with text and graphic elements to create
dynamic, multi-page reports, which automatically reflect changes in data
views.

Guy Kawasaki, author, software expert, and member of Objective Software's
board of directors, states, "SpreadBase offers the most significant leap
in business productivity since VisiCalc."

SpreadBase Architecture

SpreadBase is based on an inherently different architecture than other
business analysis tools (See architecture graph). SpreadBase consists of a
graphical interface, a controller, and a data manager. The graphical user
interface takes advantage of user familiarity with spreadsheets,
outliners, and file managers to provide a flexible environment for viewing
data, performing analysis, and building models. The controller acts as an
intermediary between the graphical interface and the underlying relational
data manager, transforming data between spreadsheet-like rows and columns
and database records. The memory-resident relational data manager holds
data values, formulas, and formats in records, so changes are immediately
reflected in all views. Since SpreadBase stores data in relational tables,
data imported from external databases can be easily integrated into
existing models.

SpreadBase Architecture
=======================
Graphical Interface:
* Leverages user knowledge of spreadsheets, outliners and file
  managers Simplifies database creation
* Supports integration of existing data
* Presents data through matrix, table and graph views

Controller:
* Transforms user actions into database requests 
* Enables new views to be created instantly
* Transforms physical cells into logical database records
* Supports multiple view types

Data Manager:
* Memory resident for quick response to multi-record queries and
  updates
* Holds values and formulas in tables
* Relational model for flexibility
* Stores data in records so changes are reflected in all views

Configuration, Pricing and Availability

SpreadBase requires a 32-bit architecture and supports Macintosh II series,
Macintosh Quadra series, SE/30 or Apple Powerbook 140/170 personal
computers, running Apple system software 6.07 or later. A Morotola 68881
or 68882 math coprocessor is optional. SpreadBase for the Macintosh has a
list price of $695. Volume discounts will be available to large corporate
buyers.

Objective Software is first entering the market with a Macintosh product,
available in the next 60-90 days. SpreadBase for Windows is currently
under development and will ship in 1993.

Objective Software

Objective Software was founded by two veterans of the spreadsheet industry,
Richard Melmon and Stanley Roach. They brought together a management team
from Apple Computer, Claris, VisiCorp, Electronic Arts, ASK/Ingres, and
Procter & Gamble with expertise in the development, marketing, and
management of important new products including PC spreadsheets and
databases, graphical user interfaces, microprocessor technologies, and
relational databases and tools.

Objective Software spent two years in heavy research and development,
working closely with its beta sites. More than 400 customers from large
organizations were consulted during the development process and have
played a major role in the final product design. Today, the company
employs 30 people.

Objective software has raised almost $8 million in venture capital from a
blue chip list of investors, including: J.H. Whitney & Co.; Oak Investment
Partners; Weiss, Peck & Freer Venture Partners; CAPFORM; Draper
Associates; and Milbank-Wilson-Winthrop.

Based in Palo Alto, CA, Objective Software has corporate sales offices in
Nanuet, NY; Cincinnati, OH; Newport Beach, CA; and Palo Alto, CA.

Objective Software, 248 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
415-324-3333,  fax: 415-324-3391

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