Crystal Announces New VirtuE-TM Virtual Execution Technology.

HERZLIYA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 1999--

Introduces CodeEyes/2000 & CodeEyes/StayingCompliant as leading

independent Y2000 compliance verification tools

Crystal Systems Solutions (NASDAQ: CRYSF) today introduced VirtuE(TM) technology, a virtual execution engine used in its new CodeEyes/2000 product. VirtuE enables CodeEyes/2000 as a unique automated Year 2000 COBOL source code verification tool.

VirtuE (Virtual Execution) technology is based on developments from PolyGlot a division of Crystal Systems Solutions Ltd. It enables CodeEyes/2000 to execute a virtual run-time verification process for Y2000 code compliance off-line and provides automated reports exposing conversion misses and mistakes. Users can lower significantly the overall risk of their conversion projects and boost the number of applications successfully converted.

Dror Ginossar, PolyGlot Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Because most verification tools currently available in the market are simply remanufactured conversion products, verification methodologies are not independent from the conversion's. With VirtuE technology, CodeEyes/2000 is positioned to become a preferred approach to real independent verification that can uncover many conversion mistakes that are undetectable by other tools."

How CodeEyes/2000 uses VirtuE Technology

The VirtuE engine simulates the execution of COBOL programs by analyzing all possible program flow paths directly from the source code. First, in the Date Mining phase, the original and remediated codes are fed into CodeEyes/2000 and the changes between the versions provide clues to a highly sophisticated search for date fields through common operations and memory overlaps. Additional clues are extracted from date-related language functions. Throughout the search, CodeEyes/2000 cross- checks the findings for consistency of usage of the fields as dates. At this point errors may be detected such as dates that avoided detection during conversion and variables mistakenly identified as dates during conversion. Therefore, date fields are more accurately and more efficiently identified than by other verification tools on the market.

In the second phase of processing, the Y2000 Compliance Verification phase, CodeEyes/2000 Virtually Executes both original and remediated codes again with the aid of previously built dates file. This Virtual Execution uncovers deviations from the rules of correct compliance code. Finally, users end up with a detailed report of detected errors, suspected cases that need a final decision, and information that may be customized by the user.

When to use CodeEyes/2000

According to Amiram Mel, Chief Executive Officer of Polyglot's parent company, Crystal Systems Solutions, "Although the optimal approach to inspect and verify software conversion work is early in the testing phase, all companies can benefit from independent verification after testing and ever after the code has been put into production. Testing often accounts for 50% or more of the development and maintenance cost of conversions. Users with several million lines of code can reduce the cost and time of conversion by one-third to one-half." As CodeEyes/2000 complements testing, it will be effective when applied to detect flaws that exist in the software. However, as some flaws could be detected by both verification and testing, impacts of time and cost varies in each of the following:

Before Testing

If CodeEyes/2000 is applied before testing, it allows for cleaner code to move into testing, and thus, increases the effective use of the expensive phase of testing. The benefit is gained in better quality overall and a reduced number of re-testing iterations that follow fixes of the software.

Following Testing

When CodeEyes/2000 is applied to code that has been corrected following testing, it constitutes yet another barrier to remaining software flaws from affecting the actual business of the user of the software.

After Implementing

If the code is already put into production, verification with CodeEyes/2000 will expose flaws before damage to the application starts to show or accumulate.

Even few hard-to-find problems in the critical paths that escaped testing are well worth the effort of verification with CodeEyes/2000.The gain is reducing the risk and compounding the savings of the organization. In other parts of the software, where testing is not focused on, detection of flaws by CodeEyes/2000 may prove to be an essential asset to achieve total quality control.

Using CodeEyes/2000

By downloading the source code files to a PC workstation running Windows NT/95/98, CodeEyes/2000 can perform the full analysis of the inputted application. Crystal also offers an MVS version of CodeEyes/2000 for users who have MVS and prefer to verify their systems on their mainframe. CodeEyes/2000 supports verification of COBOL and SQL.

CodeEyes/StayingCompliant

CodeEyes/Staying Compliant is a tool designed to be operated by the customer as part of a standard testing procedure of a new version. Each routine and maintenance change might interfere with Y2000 corrections or create a new Y2000 violation. Such risk is not ending in 1.1.2000. CodeEyes/Staying Compliant addresses this issue and alerts the testing team when new Y2000 violation happens.

CodeEyes/2000 is the first of an anticipated line of source code testing tools developed by PolyGlot. The company is addressing IBM mainframe software change and maintenance needs. Crystal and PolyGlot are extending an invitation to qualified IT professionals for the free diagnostic evaluation of up to 100,000 lines of Y2000- converted code.(a) Crystal will provide a standardized report highlighting found errors that can be useful for judging an organization's overall conversion accuracy. Information on how to access this free, limited-time offer can be found by contacting Crystal and PolyGlot at [phone] or at [e-mail].

About Crystal System Solutions & PolyGlot Crystal Systems Solutions Ltd. is a member of the Formula Group (NASDAQ: FORTY), which is the largest public information technology group in Israel. Crystal provides tools and services for complex mainframe and mid-range systems applications software conversion challenges, such as Euro conversion, Cobol to Java migration and Year 2000 remediation, in addition to platform migration and language upgrades. Crystal has the tools and methodologies that enable corporations to align their information systems with the organization's operating environment and business model. Crystal customers include Ford, Pratt & Whitney, BMW of North America, Reynolds Metals and Phillips Petroleum

PolyGlot, a division of Crystal Systems Solutions Ltd., is a leading provider of quality enhancement tools, including products specifically designed for Year 2000 conversion projects. Polyglot's solutions help customers identify software errors more quickly and more efficiently than traditional methods, enabling them to verify Y2000 software compliance with quality methodologies and lower cost. CodeEyes/2000 is the first of an anticipated line of source code testing tools developed by PolyGlot. The company is addressing IBM mainframe software change and maintenance needs.

Editor's Note:

PolyGlot, Ltd. is located at 4740 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite A, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. Ken Hertzler-Walters, general manager for North America, can be reached by phone at [phone] or fax at [phone]. Website: www.polyglot-sw.com

(a) Some restrictions may apply. Please call [phone] for

confirmation regarding eligibility.