Applix Launches Anyware Now Initiative; Redoubles Commitment to Java Computing.

WESTBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1997--

Formalization of Java-related marketing and R&D programs to

accelerate company-wide thin-client computing strategy

Applix Inc. (NASDAQ:APLX), a leader in real-time business software solutions, today announced its Anyware NOW initiative, which formalizes and further accelerates the company's Java-specific marketing and research and development programs. The formation of Anyware NOW signals the company's firm commitment to thin-client computing as the architecture of the future. Via its core Java technology known as Applix Anyware, Applix delivers thin-client business solutions including: Anyware Office, the industry's only commercially available office automation suite certified by Sun Microsystems as "100% Pure Java," and Enterprise Anyware, also 100% Pure Java certified, which delivers interactive customer service and help desk solutions to virtually any Java-enabled desktop. Later this year, Applix will deliver a new integrated sales and marketing automation solution that leverages this same Anyware technology.

David Coursey--industry analyst, columnist and host of Upside's Internet Showcase conference--lauded the Applix Anyware NOW initiative: "With the recent announcement that Corel is foresaking the `fat client' approach to Java computing for a new `thin client' implementation, Applix has become the leader in thin-client applications. Applix is actively extending its Java technology and leadership throughout its marketing, R&D and product initiatives."

"We believe the true value of Java-based computing is founded on the ability to deliver applications 'just-in-time' to the user, with virtually no advanced preparation and administration of the user's desktop," explains Jay Waldron, president and COO of Applix. "Only a `thin client' approach can address both of these issues. Applix has clearly established the lead and foresight in this space from the beginning of our Java efforts in 1995, and through our Anyware NOW program, we are further extending our Java leadership to ensure customers the most effective business solutions using the best technology."

Applix Anyware: Why It Works

The Applix Anyware foundation offers customers a truly scaleable client/server platform that leverages the power, platform independence and security benefits of Java. In addition, Applix Anyware combines the cost-effective centralized administration with control granted by server-centric computing and applications delivery.

While other vendors have been investing in developing Java applications using the traditional "fat client" approach--where all of the business/application logic resides on the client and servers typically provide only data storage and minimal compute power--Applix has taken an entirely different approach with its Java investments with Anyware.

All Applix Anyware-based solutions are architected around a "thin client/thin pipe" that focuses on delivering the highest possible end-user performance experience with the smallest possible Java footprint and communications overhead. In this model, virtually all of the computing necessary to support a given application is executed on the server, which enables the Java-based client applet to manage the user interaction and application display (GUI). Applix believes that this model not only maximizes the strengths and minimizes the limitations of today's Java and Internet communications technologies, but provides a much more manageable and cost-effective client/server solution than a traditional "fat client" approach to distributed computing.

"We believe that Applix Anyware is not only the industry's first and best platform for delivering Java-based solutions to the market," Waldron explains, "but also the most appropriate architecture for client/server computing going forward. The traditional `fat client' approach to client/server computing, which depends upon reliable high-speed communications, is clearly ill suited for the Internet of today and the immediate future."

Applix Anyware Office was announced in December 1996 and has been shipping since March 1997. Applix Enterprise Anyware was announced in March and has been shipping since June 1997. The company began developing Java-based client/server technology in 1995.

About Applix

Applix, Inc., (NASDAQ:APLX) headquartered in Westboro, MA, is a leading provider of software for managing customer interaction, real-time decision support and office productivity across globally networked, extended enterprise environments. The company provides cross-platform client/server, network-centric, webtop and thin-client computing solutions throughout its core offerings: Applix Enterprise, customer satisfaction software; Applix TM1, real-time multidimensional analysis for financial decision support systems; Applix office automation solutions, including Applix Office for UNIX and Windows NT and Anyware Office for Java-based desktops; Applixware, an open suite of desktop and development tools for accessing, analyzing and communicating information in real-time; and Applix Anyware, an application development and deployment solution that leverages Java to customize and deploy Applix's full suite of applications. Applix has offices worldwide and can be found on the world wide web at www.applix.com . -0-

All trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks are property of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Applix, Inc. Neva Group

Jillian Harvey-Asquith Leah Goldman/Lisa Melsted

508-870-0300 617-441-4000 x. 222/245

[e-mail] [e-mail]

[e-mail]