ACI Announces Windows Version of 4th Dimension; Leading RDBMS Now Provides Platform Independence, Powerful Multi- Tasking and True Compiler for Windows Users.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 1995--ACI US, Inc. today announced that its 4th Dimension (4D) relational database, which has been the de facto standard in the Macintosh environment for a decade, is available for Microsoft Windows.

Running under Windows 3.1 or later -- including Win95 and Windows NT -- 4D 3.5 allows ACI's installed base of hundreds of thousands of users and 6,000 professional developers to enjoy seamless application integration across Macintosh and Windows platforms. It provides built-in multi-tasking, a powerful 4GL, a graphical interface that respects both Macintosh and Windows standards, and an optional machine language compiler.

End users benefit because 4D is consistent on both Macintosh and Windows platforms while respecting the individual look and feel of each, notes Jeff Loewer, manager of Technology Information Systems at Colgate-Palmolive Company in Piscataway, N.J. "The initial transfer of our stand-alone test databases from the Mac to Windows has been extremely easy," Loewer said. "Our applications work fine and they look great cosmetically. No modification of the actual applications was necessary."

Developers benefit because 4D 3.5 is based on a single set of source code, which means updates and new features will be released simultaneously. Existing Macintosh databases can be ported immediately to Windows, opening a large world of potential business to developers. "We anticipate a definite increase in demand for our services, which will be attributed directly to the release of 4D Windows products," reports Peter Amiri, senior consultant at Athos Technology, Inc., Irvine, Calif.

"4D on Windows will allow all 4D developers to address the other 90 percent of the installed user base," adds Rich Gay, president of Ft. Worth, Texas-based Foresight Technology. "As a third-party developer, I think it's critical that ACI expand to the Windows platform. Our customers are insisting that their systems work on both Macintosh and Windows. The upcoming 4D for Windows is the only elegant, high-performance product that will let us accomplish this."

With the growth of corporate database systems serving mixed clients, 4D 3.5 offers necessary and timely technology, according to industry analyst Dave Kelly, senior consultant of Hurwitz Consulting Group, Inc., in Newton, Mass. As ACI continues to port its entire product line, including the client/server database and the SQL front-end tools to Windows, the company will significantly increase its usability in heterogeneous environments, according to Kelly. "By moving 4D to Windows, ACI US will be able to position 4D 3.5 as a strong multi-platform relational database," he said.

Multi-Tasking, Multi-Windows

As with previous versions of 4th Dimension, the Windows version will offer a built-in multi-tasking system -- separate from the OS -- that allows users to display multiple windows, which can perform actions simultaneously, including printing reports, importing data, and entering records. The 4th Dimension 4GL offers over 350 commands for customizing applications and adding extensions to databases. 4th Dimension has been 32-bit native for years and will be available as 32-bit for Windows.

Another advantage of 4D is the optional 4D Compiler available for Windows soon after the release of 4D 3.5. Using 4D Compiler databases created on one platform can be compiled to run on the other platform. 4D Compiler is a true compiler, rather than a simple tokenizer. It compiles code into machine language, which makes databases run up to 1,000 times faster and ensures security of code.

The open 4D architecture provides extensions to increase database capabilities. Using APIs from ACI, 4D can act as a server to various clients, including applications running under Visual Basic, Windows, or the Macintosh. Another ACI product, 4D Passport, can be a client to SQL databases.

Pricing and Availability

4D 3.5 will be available September 14, with a MSRP of $895. It runs on a 386-, 486-, or Pentium-based PC with hard drive and Windows 3.1 or later with at least 8 MB RAM; or Windows NT Workstation or Server with at least 16 MB RAM; or Windows 95. For the Macintosh, 4D 3.5 requires System 6.07 or greater, or System 7 or greater, running on a Macintosh Plus or greater. 4D 3.5 is also PowerMac compatible. 4D 3.5 requires a minimum of 2 MB of RAM. The other products in the 4D family, including 4D Compiler, 4D Server, 4D Insider, 4D Passport, and 4D First, will be available for Windows soon after 4D 3.5 has shipped.

About ACI US

ACI US, Inc. was founded in 1987 as the publisher of 4D. The 4D family of products is the best selling relational database product family for the Macintosh. 4D is published worldwide by its original designer, ACI, based in Paris, France. Object Master, published by ACI US, Inc., is the tool of choice for professional programmers. ACI US is located at 20883 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA. Telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

CONTACT: ACI US Marketing, Cupertino

Nancy Tatum, 408/252-4444 x386

or

Gallagher PR

Kim Diaz, 510/743-7830

KEYWORDS: CALIFORNIA MASSACHUSETTS NEW JERSEY TEXAS

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT REPEATS: New York 212-575-8822 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-330-5311 or

80