ACI Ships New 4D Server; Platform-Independent, 32-Bit Client/Server RDBMS; Supports Simultaneous Connections By Windows and Macintosh Clients.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1995--ACI today shipped its new 4D Server(TM), the most recent version of its best-selling, client/server RDBMS.

Based on ACI's 4th Dimension(R) (4D)(R) database, 4D Server 1.5 is the only client/server RDBMS that integrates the client software and server application into the same product. Everything needed comes in one box: the server software, client software, and network modules. 4D Server is a perfect tool for developing and deploying workgroup and departmental multi-user database applications for 2 to 200 users in networked PC environments.

With 4D Server, end users and developers both benefit from 4D's platform-independent, client/server architecture. It allows client software and database applications to run on either Microsoft(R) Windows(R) or Apple(R) Macintosh(R) operating systems without any modifications. For example, 4D Server can run on a powerful Windows NT(TM) based server with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Macintosh clients all simultaneously connected.

By incorporating 4D's platform-independent technology into 4D Server, ACI now provides an integrated database solution for the Windows client/server market. For the more than 6,000 registered 4D developers around the world, this new solution opens a large market of opportunity, according to Industry Analyst Karen Moser of the Aberdeen Group in Boston.

"4D Server can provide significant value in organizations with both Macintosh and PC hardware, letting users merge the two via a single centralized database and a cross-platform application that runs on both the Macintosh and the PC, taking advantage of the native environment's GUI," Moser said. "ACI's 4D Server is well positioned to act as the unifying and simplifying client/server technology that IS buyers require."

John Caccavaro, president of Computer Power Inc., in Newton, Mass., agreed. "4D Server fills a hole in the current Windows client/server market," he said. "Of all the client/server database engines we're aware of, 4D Server by far requires the least maintenance and fills the performance/administration gap quite nicely."

4D Server combines the ease of development and administration common to desktop RDBMS products with the client/server horsepower demanded by today's workgroup multi-user applications. A full set of professional-strength development tools are also available including 4D Compiler, which translates a 4D application into fast executing machine code.

4D Server also provides for team development, allowing multiple developers access to the database application, even when the application is on-line and in use by end users. Since 4D Server acts as an application server, any changes made to the application are automatically sent to the client workstations by 4D Server. This eliminates the configuration management nightmare of manually deploying new versions of the client application required by non-integrated client/server environments.

4D Server can also play a role as part of a larger, enterprise-wide architecture. With the 4D Enterprise(TM) connectivity package, 4D Server can be made part of a larger system that connects to Oracle(R), Sybase(R) SQL Server, Microsoft NT SQL Server, and more. -0- New Features Overview:

- 32-bit Windows version of 4D Server runs on Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Windows NT

- Macintosh version of 4D Server runs on Macintosh and Power Macintosh 

- Client software included for all Windows and Macintosh platforms

- Network protocols supported include TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, and ADSP (AppleTalk). 4D Server can support one or all of these protocols simultaneously.

- Flexible concurrent user licensing

- Automatically adapts the look-and-feel of application to the platform it is running on -0-

4D Server, which has always been based on 32-bit technology, is platform independent and is now available for both the Macintosh and Windows environments. The Macintosh and Windows versions of 4D Server both provide client software for both Macintosh and Windows clients, and each 4D Server supports simultaneous connections from Macintosh and Windows 4D Clients.

Flexible concurrent user licensing allows customers to deploy unlimited copies of 4D Client enterprise wide, while paying only for the number of clients concurrently connected to the server.

Pricing and Availability

Available now, 4D server 1.5 starts at $1,295 (U.S. list only); the 4D Server 1.5 Macintosh upgrade is $495. Special prices are also available through PC Zone/Mac Zone and other resellers through Dec. 31. The Macintosh version requires a Macintosh with a hard drive and System 6.0.7 or greater with at least 2 MB RAM.

The Windows version runs on a 386, 486, or Pentium machine with a hard drive and Windows 3.1 or later with at least 8 MB RAM; or Windows 95 with 8 MB RAM; or Windows NT Workstation or Server with at least 16 MB RAM. Other products in the 4D family, including 4D Insider(TM), 4D Enterprise, and 4D First(TM), will be available for Windows soon after 4D Server has shipped.

About ACI

ACI US, Inc. was founded in 1987 as the U.S. publisher of 4th Dimension and the 4D product family, which has set the Apple Macintosh database standard for more than seven years. ACI US is the U.S. affiliate of ACI SA, the worldwide publisher of the 4D product family, located in Clichy, France.

In 1995, ACI introduced the Windows version of 4th Dimension for Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows NT. Object Master, also published by ACI US, is the tool of choice for professional programmers. ACI US is located at 20883 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014. Telephone: [phone], fax: [phone]. -0-

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CONTACT: ACI US Marketing, Cupertino

Nancy Tatum, 408/252-4444, ext. 386

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