Lilly Software Selects Gupta's Relational Database for Its New Online Solution.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001

Gupta's SQLBase Powers Lilly Software's VISUAL eBusiness 3.0 with

Reliable, Low Cost and Easy-to-Maintain Data Storage and Retrieval

Gupta Technologies, LLC (www.guptaworldwide.com), a leading provider of embedded relational databases and high-end 4GL development tools, today announced that Lilly Software Associates, an award-winning provider of ERP and supply chain solutions, has integrated Gupta's SQLBase relational database in its new VISUAL eBusiness 3.0 software, available now. VISUAL eBusiness 3.0 is an online solution developed to help manufacturers and distributors streamline their processes, improve productivity and increase efficiency by utilizing the Internet. Gupta's SQLBase is a scalable, high performance, maintenance-free relational database that offers the most cost-effective solution for applications that require reliable embedded database functionality.

"We have been using Gupta's technology since 1992 and are very pleased to include SQLBase in our new Visual eBusiness 3.0," said Scott Rich, VP of Marketing, Lilly Software. "We serve a market comprised of customers who have limited IT support, whether they are small to mid-sized businesses or distributed locations of large enterprises, and therefore require turnkey solutions. Our customers need a transparent database that does not require an administrator like the higher-end databases. By incorporating Gupta's SQLBase into our VISUAL eBusiness 3.0, we are able to provide our customers with exactly what they need -- a reliable, low cost, maintenance-free solution."

VISUAL eBusiness functions as an extension of Lilly Software's enterprise and warehouse systems, and enables small to mid-sized manufacturers and distributors across a variety of industries to post catalogs and pricing information on the Web. The VISUAL eBusiness 3.0 supports both business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions, and allows customers and distribution partners to check information such as pricing, order status, product features and availability.

"Gupta Technologies has developed a sound strategy by reinvesting in its core technologies and leveraging its existing customer base," said Kathleen Quirk, senior analyst, Application Strategies, Hurwitz Group. "This renewed focus on its core competencies will help to position Gupta well as the market seeks a measurable return on its IT investments. Gupta's products are designed to extend existing IT investments by minimizing expenses and ongoing costs -- offering a compelling proposition to organizations."

"Lilly Software is one of the fastest-growing software companies in the U.S., and we are extremely pleased that SQLBase is an integral part of its new online solution," said Gupta President and CEO Ernst Gemassmer. "Our customers trust us because our solutions are proven -- our SQLBase product is deployed by Global 1000 companies that require a small footprint, maintenance-free relational database to help run their businesses. Additionally, SQLBase is the first to provide triple DES security, making our solution a natural choice for companies that want to create a secure environment."

Gupta's SQLBase provides application developers and end users valuable features, including DBA-less (Database Administrator-less) deployment, small footprint, true server architecture, robust relational capabilities, and scalability from laptop to multi-processor server environments. Designed from the ground up to be a maintenance-free database, SQLBase is an ideal solution for companies such as Lilly Software whose customer base is largely made up of small- to mid-size companies with limited IT budgets. SQLBase also offers triple DES (Data Encryption Standard) encryption, creating an extremely secure environment for the storage and transfer of data.

About the Companies

Lilly Software Associates Lilly Software Associates, Inc. (LSA) provides a complete line of enterprise and supply chain management solutions for manufacturers and distributors. With its easy-to-use graphical nature, the VISUAL suite of products helps companies capture accurate, real-time data about their business processes using ERP, APS, MES, Quality Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), E-Business Relationship Management (ERM), Warehouse Management System (WMS), and Transportation Management System (TMS) capabilities. Most VISUAL applications run on Windows NT(R), UNIX(R), LINUX, VMS, Novell(R) or OS400 using SQLBase(R), Microsoft SQLServer(TM), ORACLE(R) or DB2(R)/400 relational databases, and are certified for both iSeries and Netfinity servers. In 1998 and 1999, Inc. magazine ranked LSA as one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the US. In 2000, honors for Lilly Software included making the lists for both Software Magazine's Software 500 and Manufacturing Systems' Top 100 Software Companies. Recently, Lilly Software has been recognized by Start magazine as one of the Hottest Companies for its fourth consecutive year, in addition to receiving another spot on the Software 500. Lilly has also been included in the Manufacturing Systems' Top 100 for its sixth year and is currently listed in Managing Automation magazine as a 2001 Software Leader.

Gupta Technologies

Gupta Technologies, www.guptaworldwide.com, specializes in embedded relational databases and high-end 4GL development tools for e-business. The company's core products include SQLBase and Team Developer. SQLBase is a relational database that features the highest level of security in the market, with more than one million copies in use worldwide. Gupta has sales offices and distributors in 46 countries, and counts numerous Global 2000 companies as its customers. Gupta is based in Redwood Shores, Calif., and is owned by Platinum Equity.