AlphaBlox Introduces Web-based Spreadsheet Application Platform for New Class of Business Intelligence Solutions.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2000

Centrally Deployed Spreadsheet, That Stays Connected To Live Data

And Writes Back To Databases, Marks a New Generation Of

Analysis-Supported Business Processes

AlphaBlox Corporation, provider of the only open Web-based platform for broadly deploying business intelligence (BI) applications, today unveiled a new product line that will expand the market for and usability of analytical applications. The new AlphaBlox Spreadsheet platform is the first and only Web-based, non-client/server spreadsheet that connects to live corporate data sources, allowing any end user to further personalize and interact with analytical information and applications, create live reports, share information inside or outside the enterprise, and write back to multidimensional and relational database applications.

Analysis, Presentation And Reporting No Longer Hits A Dead End At The User

The SpreadsheetBlox lets assemblers and end users easily create live, connected reports directly from multidimensional and relational data sources. The user can then quickly reformat, repackage and share the information without disconnecting the data from the workflow, which happens when downloading, exporting or sending attachments via email. These live, zero client spreadsheets can be further personalized with custom calculations and formats, allowing users to do "what if" planning rather than viewing only "what was". In addition, the SpreadsheetBlox application and data are stored centrally, so they can be accessed and shared as custom presentations or reports from any Internet user. SpreadsheetBlox can also be published live within departmental or Internet Web pages and applications as easy as text or graphics, making BI more tightly integrated into any business process.

Connected Analytics Expands Applications For Business Intelligence Data

Perhaps even more important, this new product category expands both the market and user base for BI by focusing on future business optimization rather than after-the-fact, static reporting.

The AlphaBlox programmable and connected spreadsheet will drive new classes of Web-based business intelligence applications, which offer data source independence, robust integration with other enterprise systems, and custom, end user-personalized analytic capabilities. "The AlphaBlox spreadsheet rewrites the rules of information and application delivery. For the first time in the industry AlphaBlox is providing a spreadsheet platform that enables fully interactive data connected spreadsheets to be embedded in an existing infrastructure and be distributed within applications across the Web, supporting rather than breaking the business process as was traditionally the case with client/server spreadsheets", said Michael Skok, chairman and CEO of AlphaBlox. "Furthermore, we're enabling a whole new class of richer `what if' applications for planning, forecasting and optimization which is in stark contrast to the typical `rear-view mirror' reporting of other BI tools. Finally we're dramatically expanding the reach of these applications to anyone familiar with spreadsheets, one of the world's best-understood user interfaces", added Skok.

Open and Extensible Web Spreadsheet Platform Opens Up New Possibilities

A programmable, Web-based spreadsheet platform can take advantage of all sorts of unique business problems in any type of operating environment. For example, XML can be used to modify spreadsheets on the server side just before they are displayed to the user. Then new calculations made by the end user can be written back into another relational database driven application, creating a progressive, roundtrip process that permeates the business workflow with intelligent information. And the SpreadsheetBlox scripting language allows almost any imaginable, custom user function to be added to the spreadsheet. Embedding analytics within the Web infrastructure and workflow will infuse live corporate data into forecasting, budgeting, CRM, quality assurance and supply chain optimization and allow every impacted user to work from the browser and not the desktop, where islands of disconnected data have historically built up from client/server spreadsheets.

"Our research shows that some users' discomfort with query and reporting tools can lead to reluctance embracing sophisticated analytic applications," said Doug Laney, vice president of META Group's Application Development Strategies service. "For this class of user, AlphaBlox' clever Web-based spreadsheet platform offers a neo-traditional platform that leverages the power of Internet-enabled collaboration and connectivity for enhanced business performance management."

I.T. Saves Time, Money and Deployment Problems

In the past only developers, assemblers and some analysts had the skills to create and control BI applications and reports. Now through familiar spreadsheet, Analysts and even line-of-business end users can rearrange, recalculate and repackage for presentation or reporting through the spreadsheet metaphor. Better yet, they can react to the problem of the moment in a fast paced business environment and feed it back into the business process without taxing the IT group. AlphaBlox spreadsheet files can be accessed, shared, emailed, modified and can update connected databases. The centrally deployed application and data don't require downloads, plug-ins, Java, or a desktop spreadsheet and are updated automatically. It doesn't require IS maintenance; it can't cause installation problems, DLL-conflicts, or version-control issues. Moreover, it is always live and connected to the original data source eliminating the islands of data that downloading causes. The total cost of ownership will be dramatically reduced because of this innovation.

The recent AlphaBlox and Halfbrain.com (now Blox.com) merger has brought an innovative new application to AlphaBlox. The AlphaBlox Spreadsheet application platform is the world's first Web-distributed Spreadsheet. It lets users build powerful analytical applications that can access live database information fed to the spreadsheet through the AlphaBlox Analysis Server (AAS). The AlphaBlox Spreadsheet compliments and leverages the AlphaBlox platform with a fully interactive, Dynamic HTML application that delivers information and analysis in a familiar spreadsheet interface. Customers and partners can use these capabilities to create a new class of interactive custom reporting and planning applications, which can be further personalized by end users.

AIX, Apache and Internationalization also added

Additional enhancements being announced include support for AIX and Apache, expanding the reach of the company's platform. AIX support allows AlphaBlox to leverage this operating system's file, mail and Web services, and superb e-commerce options. With Apache support the AlphaBlox platform now integrates with the server that powers 60% of the Web worldwide. AlphaBlox 3 has also been internationalized, further personalizing the global delivery of analytical applications. In addition to English, AlphaBlox will be available in French, German and Japanese. SpreadsheetBlox is shipping immediately, while AIX, Apache and foreign language versions will be available in late November.

About AlphaBlox

AlphaBlox Corporation provides the industry's only open and extensible 100% Web-based platform for delivering analytical applications that optimize eBusiness efficiencies. With AlphaBlox, companies can share and analyze information with customers, partners, and suppliers to build eBusiness communities, foster more profitable eBusiness relationships, and optimize business performance.

Leveraging AlphaBlox's unique "building Blox(TM)" approach customers and partners can quickly assemble and deploy a variety of customized analytical applications for measuring and improving eBusiness operations, financial performance, customer/product profitability, distribution channels, and the supply chain. Leading Global 1000 organizations such as Deutsche Bank Securities, AT&T, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Hewlett Packard, Toyota Motor Company, FedEx, Morgan Stanley, and OppenheimerFunds rely on AlphaBlox solutions to turn their information assets into strategic advantage. Additional information on AlphaBlox Corporation and its products can be obtained by calling 888/256-9669 or via the company's web site at www.alphablox.com.

AlphaBlox is a trademark of AlphaBlox Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.