Agile Software First to Deliver Client/Server Desktop PDM Solutions on Windows NT Platform; Affordable, Change Management Application Suite Already Proven with Manufacturing Customers.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1996--Agile Software Corporation today introduced a complete line of desktop Product Data Management (PDM) solutions that bring to mid-size manufacturing companies easily installed, client/server applications for managing data, documents and workflow.

Using Windows(R) and Windows NT(R) Server on the PC platform -- coupled with the World Wide Web or corporate Intranets -- Agile Software's off-the-shelf products create scalable, client/server PDM solutions for administering the constantly changing production environments of today's high-growth manufacturers.

In confidential field tests, the Agile Software desktop PDM product line was proven for nearly a year by a wide variety of manufacturing customers, from start-ups to the some of the world's leading telecommunications companies. As a result of this testing, Agile Software unveiled a rich and stable product line that, even as the company makes its debut, is already shipping its flagship Agile Configurator(TM) application in a mature Version 2.0 release.

"Reliable, stable, Windows NT-based applications are a must for the mid-sized market," said Bryan Stolle, President and CEO of Agile Software. "We wanted to make sure we had a rock-solid product before releasing it for general availability."

"Agile Configurator 2.0 is one of the most exciting new PDM products to be introduced this year," said Alan Mendel, senior consultant with market research firm CIMdata. "Its intuitive user interface provides easy access to documents, Engineering Change Orders, and Bills of Material (BOM), and should significantly reduce the time required to manage and control critical information for mid-sized manufacturers."

Built using an object-oriented architecture, Agile Software's desktop PDM products help fast-paced manufacturing companies streamline the process of managing product information from product conception to delivery. Agile Software applications allow a company's internal departments and external suppliers to access design documents, parts information, change orders and other constantly changing yet critical information. Far more cost-effective than proprietary, large-system solutions that traditionally have served the largest manufacturing operations, Agile Software's desktop PDM environment is easily installed and grows as quickly and inexpensively as the customer desires.

"I can train an employee on the Agile Software PDM solution in about 10 minutes," said Marc Matejka, Development Manager at Sourcecom, a manufacturer of network access products. "Unlike the UNIX(R)-based PDM system at my last company, the Agile Software system is very easy to install and use. When you show people how easy the Agile Software solution is to use, there is no resistance to adoption."

Two main components comprise the flexible Agile Software change management environment: the flagship Agile Configurator 2.0, the backbone application of Agile Software's PDM solutions suite and an engineering records management application for on-line storage and viewing of product configurations and documents; and Agile Connect(TM), which automatically synchronizes product information between the Agile Software system and a company's ERP system. Agile Administrator(TM) allows users to configure the different Agile Software PDM modules to most effectively meet their needs, while the Agile Configurator Web Extensions enable organizations to integrate their Agile Software PDM solution within their corporate Intranets and Web networks.

-- Agile Configurator 2.0, the flagship of the Agile Software solutions suite, is the core application into which all other Agile Software applications are integrated. Agile Configurator 2.0 enables on-line storage and viewing of product configurations and associated documents. With additional application modules due in 1997, Agile Configurator 2.0 is available immediately and is priced at $1,000 or less per seat, for a 50- to 100-seat configuration.

-- Agile Connect enables a manufacturing organization to synchronize Item Master and Bill of Material information stored within the Agile Software system with the company's ERP system. Agile Connect completes the product management cycle between engineering and manufacturing, dramatically reducing the chance for human error and change cycle time by eliminating wasteful re-entry of data. Agile Connect is priced at $5,000 for an enterprise license with one filter included.

Anchoring the Agile Software suite of change management applications is Agile Administrator, which customers can use to configure Agile Software modules to meet their own specific -- and constantly changing -- needs. Agile Administrator also helps customers define user roles for workflow procedures such as the engineering change process. Included with the purchase of Agile Configurator 2.0, Agile Administrator is available now.

Using the Agile Configurator Web Extensions, manufacturing organizations can integrate the Agile Software PDM solution into their own Intranets for secure access to different databases and designs. Customers can also extend their Intranet beyond the firewall to allow suppliers and customers secure access to information about their parts, products or accounts. The Agile Configurator Web Extensions are included with the purchase of the Agile Software PDM solution.

Agile Software also provides on-site professional consulting, installation and support for its desktop PDM solutions. These services draw upon Agile Software technical support staff's extensive experience in implementing PDM systems for mid- to large-sized customers.

ABOUT AGILE SOFTWARE

Agile Software Corporation is the leading supplier of Windows and Web client/server applications for desktop-based product configuration management and change control. Providing affordable and scalable PDM solutions for mid-sized manufacturers, Agile Software is the market leader in the rapidly growing desktop PDM market, offering products and services through a direct field organization and selected VARs. Agile Software is headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

CONTACT: Agile Software

Doug Molitor, 415/322-9056

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