Avid Technology Integrates Informix Database Technology Into AvidNews Next Generation Newsroom System; Informix Provides Asset Management in Multimedia News Production System.

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1996--Informix Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: IFMX), the leading provider of innovative database technology, today announced that Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVID) has selected the Informix database as the media management database engine for the AvidNews browse server, Avid's low resolution video server for its next-generation newsroom computer system.

The combination of Avid's expertise in developing industry-leading tools for streamlining Digital News Production (DNP) with Informix's expertise in object-relational database technology (ORDBMS) will provide AvidNews customers with a robust, scalable solution for managing multimedia assets in a computer-based digital newsroom environment.

Putting together a newscast requires the skillful coordination of hundreds of people managing thousands of pieces of media under intense deadlines. Broadcasters are rapidly adopting computer-based digital technology for the acquisition and production of news, thus creating a need for the effective management of multimedia assets.

AvidNews is targeted at the estimated 100,000+ newsroom computer seats worldwide, and will enable a volume user base of journalists, editors and producers to work, in conjunction with Avid's MediaServer, on shared video, audio and text files.

With AvidNews, journalists will be able to create stories by rapidly searching wires or archives and browsing through available audio and low-resolution video. They can then send their stories to editing stations where a high-resolution version of their story will be automatically produced.

While journalists and editors are creating stories, producers can review completed stories, as well as uncompleted ones, track story progress and coordinate the numerous elements that go into a newscast.

"The combination of Avid's and Informix's new computing technologies will break down the remaining barriers between newscast production and daily newsroom operations making it possible for newsroom staff and management to track and oversee use of their key media assets throughout the DNP process," said Al Rouff, director of engineering and broadcast operations, Providence Journal Broadcasting.

"Being able to efficiently track and oversee how volumes of text, audio and video are integrated into a product for the station's news viewers is a competitive edge in the beginning, but will become absolutely essential in today's increasingly competitive broadcast news environment."

"Computer-based news production is ultimately about enabling individuals and workgroups to access and manage any type of media, anywhere and at anytime," said Bob Sullivan, Avid's vice president of broadcast marketing.

"We chose Informix as our database solution provider for MediaServer, our production server, which is currently installed at CNN Headline News, CNN Financial Network and Northwest Cable News as well as other leading broadcast sites worldwide.

"Avid is now extending its partnership with Informix because their sophisticated database solutions continue to provide the kind of reliability, scalability and asset management functionality that AvidNews customers require. Informix has clearly demonstrated technology leadership with INFORMIX-Universal Server's native support for rich multimedia content and datatypes."

"Informix has long believed that media asset management represents one of the next great developments in database applications," said Jeff Hudson, Informix's vice president of business development. "We believe that the combination of our database technology with Avid's industry-leading broadcast products will revolutionize the way news is produced." AvidNews V1.0 will ship to beta customers in Q1 1997 with product availability planned for mid-year 1997.

About Informix

Informix Software, based in Menlo Park, Calif., provides innovative database technology that enables the world's leading corporations to manage and grow their business. Informix is widely recognized as the technology leader for corporate computing environments ranging from workgroups to very large OLTP and data warehouse applications.

Informix's database servers, application development tools, superior customer service, and strong partnerships enable the company to be at the forefront of many leading-edge information technology solution areas.

About Avid Technology

Avid Technology, Inc., headquartered in Tewksbury, Mass., is an international developer and supplier of computer-based production tools for film, video and audio content creation.

Avid's product line encompasses industry-leading nonlinear film, video and audio editing, special effects and image processing software, as well as advanced networking, server and storage technologies for applications such as television and film post production, broadcast news, corporate video production, multimedia and music production. More information about Avid is available via the World Wide Web at http://www.avid.com . -0-

Note to Editors: The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix Software, Inc., Informix Corporation, or their subsidiaries, registered in the United States of America as indicated by R and in numerous countries worldwide: Informix, and Illustra. Avid is a registered trademark and MediaServer and AvidNews are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other names or marks may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Informix news releases are available at no charge through Business Wire's NewsOnDemand fax service. To immediately receive an index of available releases, call 800/356-0851.

CONTACTS: Avid Technology, Inc.

Kim Novino, 508/640-3541

or

Informix Software, Inc.

Michelle Webber, 415/926-1173