Acacia Technologies Division of Computer Associates Acquires Systems Start-Up, Ltd.

LISLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 3,1997--

Move Will Bolster Services Offered Directly To Growing Customer Base

Acacia Technologies(TM), a division of Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA), today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire certain assets of Systems Start-Up, Ltd. (SSU), a company known for the breadth of its software consulting and professional services in manufacturing, distribution, finance and management.

SSU, based in Downers Grove, Ill., is a privately-held, 50-person company that provides a complete range of customized consulting in implementation and technical project management, training, education, business consulting and systems modification related to the IBM AS/400(TM) manufacturing, distribution and warehouse management software markets.

Lisle, Ill.-based Acacia Technologies is one of the key players in the growing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) and Warehouse Management software markets.

The acquisition is the first for Acacia Technologies since it became an independent business unit of Computer Associates in April 1996. Computer Associates, a world leader in mission-critical business software and information management solutions, created Acacia Technologies to provide more emphasis on Acacia's manufacturing, distribution and warehouse management software products.

"This acquisition will allow us to meet the tremendous demand for implementation services that has resulted from the surge in new customers," said Ken Modaff, senior vice president and general manager of Acacia. "SSU brings to the Acacia business an outstanding group of business and technical consultants along with a great management team."

As part of the transaction, Acacia also acquired nearly 70 product enhancements for Acacia's CA-PRMS(TM) product line. These enhancements -- such as cash management, commission reporting, project cost management, and service and warranty tracking -- were developed and sold as third-party add-on modules by SSU. Acacia will incorporate many of the features into the base product of CA-PRMS.

"The addition of these new features will allow us to accelerate delivery of these capabilities to our existing customers and help us quickly move into new markets," Modaff said. "The integration of the new features also provides a greater value for our customers."

Al Herbach, executive vice president at SSU, said that the combination of Acacia's existing post-sales resources and the SSU team will create a even stronger presence in the marketplace.

"We will make an already strong post-sales team even stronger," he said. "The addition of SSU's services and products will substantially strengthen Acacia's business consulting assets, as well as adding a team of post-sales developers who can modify and customize the products for Acacia's clients. In addition, we've been a Certified Consulting Partner for Acacia Technologies and Computer Associates, and thus, have firsthand experience working with third-party vendors and consultants."

Acacia Technologies is focused entirely on developing business applications for the IBM AS/400 client/server market, specifically in manufacturing, distribution and warehouse management.

The Acacia product line includes four major application suites.

-- CA-PRMS - a comprehensive ERP system for discrete, repetitive, and process manufacturers

-- CA-KBM(TM) - a knowledge based ERP system for the custom products manufacturer

-- CA-Warehouse BOSS(TM) - an advanced warehouse management system for distribution operations

-- CA-Quick Response Engine(TM) - a fast response, advanced scheduling and planning application for a wide range of business environments

Established in 1983, Systems Start-Up, Ltd., focuses on the installation, application and modification of all CA-PRMS modules. Services include a complete range of individualized consulting covering project management, training, education, business consulting and systems modification in the areas of manufacturing, distribution, finance and management. Systems Start-Up's unique approach to serving CA-PRMS and CA-Warehouse BOSS users includes a series of "off the shelf" enhancements, which represent the most common needs of users.

Acacia Technologies, with headquarters in Lisle, Ill., is a division of Computer Associates International, Inc. This division is responsible for the development, support, marketing and sales of CA-PRMS, CA-KBM, CA-Warehouse BOSS, and CA-Quick Response Engine. The objective of Acacia Technologies is to meet the evolving needs of manufacturing and distribution businesses through a set of solutions built on the AS/400 client/server technology. Acacia Technologies can be reached by visiting http:/www.acaciatech.com on the World Wide Web, or calling 1-800-523-5260.

Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA), with headquarters in Islandia, N.Y., is the world leader in mission-critical business software. The company develops, licenses and supports more than 500 integrated products that include enterprise computing and information management, application development, manufacturing and financial applications. CA has over 10,000 people in 160 offices in 40 countries and had revenue of $4 billion in fiscal year 1997. CA can be reached by visiting http://www.cai.com on the World Wide Web, emailing [e-mail] or calling 1-516-342-5224. -0-

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Larry A. Mathias

Manager, Public Relations 

Acacia Technologies (an independent business unit

of Computer Associates International, Inc.)

P: [phone]

F: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Visit our Web site: www.acaciatech.com