Ascent Logic Corp. next-generation product to incorporate open object-oriented database management system.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1997--Ascent Logic Corp. (ALC), an innovator in systems engineering software products and services, today announced plans to integrate the commercial GemStone Object-Oriented database with its next generation of software products supporting the RDD(TM) (Requirements Driven Development) methodology.

This new capability will allow users to take full advantage of client-server software. ALC's database product release, the RDD-2000(TM), is expected in fourth quarter 1997 although a beta release was given to members of Ascent's Customer Advisory Panel at the April 18 CAP meeting.

In addition to providing client-server capabilities, RDD-2000 will let groups of engineers share information, control changes to that information, and manage design configurations. The RDD-2000 product supports configuration management and change control processes consistent with government and commercial standards (such as MIL-STD-973 and IEEE Std 610).

The first release of RDD-2000 server software will be available for SPARC/Solaris, WindowsNT, and several other platforms; client software will be available on these same platforms as well as Windows 95.

Initial RDD-2000 client applications will have a look and feel similar to ALC's RDD-100(TM) product family members, offering the power of a database and smooth transition for current users. Next generation client applications will be implemented using a variety of leading edge GUI builders and languages such as Java, reducing our dependence on Smalltalk.

Some client applications will provide new requirements management, modeling, and model execution capabilities. Other applications will allow popular PC tools such as word processors and spreadsheets to access information in the GemStone database via server software. Release of next generation client applications will begin shortly after the initial RDD-2000 release.

RDD-2000 clients will benefit from an application programmer's interface (API) that provides C-routines to invoke many of the server services and allows users to build their own client-like applications. Like client applications, these API programs receive full configuration management and change control services from the server.

RDD-2000 also provides a foundation for the next generation of ALC software products. The entire underlying object model has been re-engineered to take advantage of GemStone capabilities. Critical functionality has been implemented in the server to architect for performance and support the next generation of sleek, PC-based clients. Server software takes advantage of GemStone's ANSI standard, fully compiled Smalltalk.

"This is another example of our commitment to exceeding our customers' expectations," explained president and CEO Larry McArthur. "We are listening to customer input during the development of a product and incorporating their needs. No one wants to be dependent on a single vendor or proprietary language anymore while the world is moving into an open systems environment. Our continuous enhancement to our product line is the key to our success and shows our commitment to our customers."

RDD and RDD-100 (Ascent Logic's current product supporting this methodology) have been used in the military and aerospace industries for years to model the requirements and behavioral characteristics of large, complex systems. Commercial companies in finance, telecommunications, and transportation are rapidly discovering the benefits of using RDD-100 in their respective industries. RDD-100 is particularly helpful in addressing the year 2000 problem many companies now face.

GemStone Systems Inc. is a major provider of object application server software enabling corporations to create information systems for competitive advantage. Its products and services enable the development of enterprise-class information systems incorporating open technologies such as Java, the Web and CORBA. GemStone customers are using the company's products to implement business applications deployed in mission critical environments using multi-tiered architectures that integrate with corporate data in relational and legacy systems.

Ascent Logic Corp., founded in 1987, is the premier supplier of systems engineering and information systems re-engineering (ISR) software products and related consulting and training services. The company develops, markets, and supports products using the RDD methodology for requirements analysis, traceability, and the modeling of complex systems.

Headquartered in San Jose, Ascent Logic Corp. is a privately held venture-capital funded company with sales and support offices and affiliates in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information about the company and its products, visit the company website at http://www.alc.com .

CONTACT: Ascent Logic Corp.

Dan Kummet, 408/325-8138

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or

Rourke & Co.

Lisa Downey, 408/453-9194

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