Industry Leaders Join Forces To Provide Open OLAP Data Access Specification.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

Hyperion, IBM, Oracle and Sun Microsystems Lead the Charge

to Deliver an Open Standard for Multidimensional Data Access

with Java Technology

Hyperion (Nasdaq:HYSL), IBM (NYSE:IBM), Oracle (Nasdaq:ORCL) and Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq:SUNW) today announced plans for a new platform-independent standard for creating, storing, accessing and managing data and metadata in OLAP (On-Line Analytical Processing) servers. The proposed Java(TM) technology-based interface for On-Line Analytical Processing (JOLAP) will be developed through the Java Community Process(TM) (JCP) program, the community-based process for developing Java(TM) technology specifications, reference implementations and compatibility test suites.

JOLAP will be designed to be the OLAP counterpart of the highly successful JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) Application Programming Interface (API) for data managed by relational databases. The Java technology development community will benefit from a single, industry-standard API that makes it possible to create business analysis applications that can be deployed across any JOLAP-compliant OLAP data source. In addition, vendors of OLAP servers supporting the JOLAP standard will be able to use a standard API that will be compatible with a wide range of applications and components running on the Java 2 platform.

Initially proposed by Hyperion Solutions, JOLAP has quickly gained the support of IBM, Oracle, Sun Microsystems and other vendors who are working with Hyperion within the JCP Program. JOLAP leverages the widely endorsed Common Warehouse Metamodel (CWM), providing interoperability between data warehousing and e-business tools, applications and repositories based on the Object Management Group open standards specifications.

"The interdependency of e-business and analytic applications heightens the urgency and significance of providing the Java technology development community with a simple, pervasive mechanism to work with OLAP data structures," said Mitch Kramer of the Patricia Seybold Group. "Broad support for standards like JOLAP and CWM among leading e-business and data warehousing vendors is a positive and timely development in the evolution of the Internet economy."

"Closed loop systems that employ OLAP technology enable a thorough analysis of the customer interactions that drive ROI on e-business investments," said Jane Griffin, director of the Analytical Solutions Practice for Arthur Andersen Business Consulting. "JOLAP will benefit IT organizations that deploy custom business analysis applications by accelerating development cycles and leveraging the prevalent Web development platform."

"Hyperion has delivered Web-enabled business analysis solutions that leverage its leading OLAP technology to thousands of organizations around the world, and we are pleased to lend our experience and expertise toward advancing the Java 2 Platform with our JOLAP proposal through the Java Community Process," said Dyke Hensen, chief product officer, Hyperion Solutions. "The broad industry support that JOLAP has already gained validates that open, cross-platform OLAP software is not a `nice to have', it is a fundamental technology for every organization."

"IBM has long been involved in driving and promoting open, industry standards," said Jim Kelly, vice president of marketing, IBM Data Management Solutions. "We're excited about this opportunity to leverage our e-business experience. Delivering solutions based on the JOLAP standard reaffirms IBM's dedication in providing customers with the most successful business intelligence solutions. JOLAP will enhance these initiatives by allowing customers to accelerate deployment and more quickly deploy sophisticated analytics."

"We are pleased to be a part of this effort and fully support this industry-wide initiative," said Peter Young, vice president market development engineering, Sun Microsystems. "JOLAP will help extend the Java 2 Platform to meet the specific needs of data warehousing and business intelligence applications developers. Moreover, since JOLAP is being developed through the JCP program, the specifications will be developed openly, with broad industry participation and support -- another boon for application developers in today's net economy."

"Companies are only beginning to realize the value they can derive in transforming themselves into e-businesses," said Chuck Rozwat, executive vice president of Server Technologies, Oracle. "There are tremendous cost-savings associated with centralizing the complexity of technology using open, Internet standards. Oracle is now backing the next critical standard to e-business, the JOLAP standard. Oracle's own experience in e-business transformation, its daily interactions with an extensive customer base and its development of a leading OLAP technology will help ensure that the results of this effort map to real-world requirements."

About JOLAP

For more information about JOLAP or to become involved in the Expert Group, visit http://java.sun.com/jcp/jsr/jsr_069_jolap.html. Nominees must be JCP program members. Companies who are not JCP program members can sign up at http://java.sun.com/aboutJava/communityprocess/getstarted.html.

About Hyperion

The worldwide analytic application software leader, Hyperion Solutions Corporation (Nasdaq:HYSL) gives today's knowledge workers the "freedom to succeed" with software, services and partner offerings that help them understand and optimize their businesses. More than 6,000 organizations worldwide use Hyperion's analytic application software products, which include market-leading packaged analytic applications, and OLAP server technology and tools. Hyperion's customers include more than 60 of the Fortune 100 and more than 40 of the Financial Times European Top 100 companies. In addition, more than 350 leading e-Business, data warehousing, OLAP tools, services, ERP, CRM, packaged application, and platform alliance partners extend the value of Hyperion's products and services to deliver maximum flexibility and choice to customers. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, the company has offices in 26 countries. Information on Hyperion's products and services is available at http://www.hyperion.com, [e-mail], or 800/286-8000.

About IBM

IBM, the world's largest software provider, creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectrics. IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technology to Internet users through the World Wide Web. The fastest and easiest way to get information on IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com. For additional information on IBM's data management solutions, please visit http://www.software.ibm.com/data.

About Oracle

Oracle Corporation provides the software that powers the Internet. For more information about Oracle call 650/506-7000.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The Computer(TM) -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $15.7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

Note to Editors: Hyperion is a registered trademark of Hyperion Solutions Corporation. Sun, the Sun logo, Solaris, Java, Java Community Process are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.