From: Conrad_Geiger@NeXT.COM (Conrad Geiger - Manager, International NeXT User Groups)
Subject: NEW PRODUCT: Micro Decisionware Announces Agreement to access DB2
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 09:15:33 GMT


For more information contact:

Micro Decisionware
Michelle Davis
(303) 443-2706

The Tierney Group
Bruce Rosner
(215) 732-4100

For Immediate Release

Micro Decisionware Announces Agreement with NeXT Computer, Inc. to
Certify NeXT Desktop Applications with the Database Gateway Product
Line

Boulder, CO - December 9, 1992 - Micro Decisionware, Inc. (MDI) today
announced an agreement with NeXT Computer, Inc. of Redwood City, CA to
provide connectivity between NeXTSTEP, NeXT Computer's object-oriented
system software environment, and the MDI Database Gateway product
line.  The agreement also provides for the certification of Database
Kit (DBKit), a NeXTSTEP Release 3 desktop tool, to access DB2 and
other host databases through the MDI Database Gateway.

MDI Database Gateway Extends NeXT Applications Data Access This
partnership will allow customers using NeXTSTEP to extend data access
to DB2, SQL/DS, and non-relational host data.  NeXTSTEP runs under
MACH, a UNIX-compatible operating system, and offers a flexible
solution for connecting to networks.  NeXT workstations have a high
degree of connectivity to multiple platforms, now extended by the MDI
Database Gateway products.

"This agreement with MDI is strategic for NeXT because it further
expands the range of database options available to NeXTSTEP developers
and users," said Brett Bachman, NeXT's director of NeXTSTEP product
marketing.  "One of the great strengths of NeXTSTEP Release 3 is
DBKit, an object-oriented tool kit that permits NeXT client
workstations to gain easy access to relational databases from any
vendor simply by providing an adaptor to the database.  The MDI
Database Gateway provides just such an adaptor to DB2 and the right
variety of data on IBM mainframe databases."

Currently, the NeXT workstations can access the Database Gateway on
OS/2 using the Microsoft SQL Bridge.  Native TCP/IP connectivity will
be accomplished with the release of the MDI Database Gateway for the
UNIX platform.

Agreement Strengthens MDI's Commitment to Open Architectures This
agreement reaffirms MDI's support of open enterprise connectivity
solutions by integrating robust workstation applications with
mainframe data.  The MDI Database Gateway family of products allows
front-end applications transparent access to both relational and
non-relational mainframe data.  MDI Database Gateways incorporate
unique functionality by permitting bi-directional transfer of data
between mainframe data sources and LAN-based data sources.  In
addition, the Database Gateway provides Data Compression; Connection
Manager, which provides load balancing between multiple gateways; and
Client Services Applications, which allow mainframe programs to
initiate actions with the Database Gateway or Microsoft SQL Server.

Front-end Tool Certification Program Ensures Transparency The MDI and
NeXT partnership is part of MDI's ISV (Independent Software Vendor)
front-end tool certification program.  MDI established this program to
ensure complete and transparent access to data sources from a variety
of both transaction processing and decision support tools.  MDI has
built close relationships with the industry-leading suppliers of data
access solutions to provide functionality with the Database Gateway
products.  The certification agreement between MDI and NeXT Computer
further strengthens MDI's position as the industry-leading supplier of
database connectivity solutions.


Company Background

Micro Decisionware, Inc., based in Boulder, Colorado, is an
international supplier of open architected, multi-platform database
access tools.  The company has established itself as a leader in the
fields of cooperative processing and client-server computing.  Micro
Decisionware's products are widely deployed in large organizations to
implement solutions which incorporate the power of both the mainframe
and the PC.  Micro Decisionware is dedicated to providing cooperative
processing and data access solutions that integrate end-user computing
with departmental and enterprise systems.  Micro Decisionware is a
partnership company of Safeguard Scientifics, Wayne, PA.

Micro Decisionware is a registered trademark of Micro Decisionware,
Inc.  MDI Database Gateway is a trademark of Micro Decisionware, Inc.
NeXT, NeXTSTEP and Database Kit are trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc.
DB2 and SQL/DS are trademarks of International Business Machines.
Unix is a registered trademark of American Telephone and Telegraph
Company. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.


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