Macro 4 Supplies Antidote to Post-Y2K Ills; Macro 4's INSYNC Can Save S/390 Shops Millions in Lost Revenues.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2000

For the last two years, vital IT issues have been neglected as IT managers addressed Y2K problems.

They are now struggling to catch up with these commitments within the constraints of limited budgets. Application downtime resulting from data and file corruption can cause substantial losses in revenues from business operations. Macro 4 offers a new version of its INSYNC solution which includes a host of features designed to make the task of S/390 fault recovery even faster and easier by improving the approach to file and data management.

IDC researchers estimate that organizations such as credit card companies stand to lose as much as $2.3 million per hour in the event of an application failure. Forty minutes spent rectifying the problem with manual methods can cost a company as much as $1.5 million dollars. However, using INSYNC, companies can reduce this downtime to as little as five minutes -- which, for a configuration costing around $200,000, represents a saving to the organization of as much as $1.3 million.

INSYNC is an advanced file and data management utility for program development and file-record maintenance on all types of data supported under OS/390. INSYNC 3.1 introduces full support for IMS (see details below). This software is particularly valuable to organizations which must get their IT systems back on-line in the minimum amount of time.

Macro 4's INSYNC also helps organizations plan their medium to long-term mainframe software costs more accurately. As a strong voice in an "anti-gouging" campaign to stamp out unfair pricing agreements in software licensing, Macro 4 offers licensing options that afford customers the flexibility to upgrade their systems in line with their business requirements.

John C. Levey, CEO and president of Macro 4 Inc., said: "IT managers face pressure on all sides as users ask for overdue applications and finance managers refuse to provide any extra investment. INSYNC gives them a way out. For a relatively small outlay, they immediately recoup significant sums of money."

New Features

Key to this release of the software is the introduction of full support for IMS, including on-line and batch support, DL/1 and BMP access, static and dynamic PSBs (Program Specification Blocks) as well as physical, logical and secondary index support.

INSYNC IMS functions are available to users in both on-line and batch modes. This allows the user to verify on-line that a particular change to a database is valid, and then use the batch facility to automate changes to the complete database.

INSYNC provides users with both DL/1 and BMP access to the IMS systems: DL/1 for when all programs and databases reside in the same MVS space; BMP for situations where programs and databases are in a separate IMS-owned MVS address space.

IMS PSBs can be predefined or created dynamically by INSYNC -- allowing users to select the type of PSB most appropriate for their program.

About Macro 4

Macro 4 is a leading independent developer of systems software solutions designed for the S/390, OS/400, UNIX and Windows NT(R) computing environments. Founded in 1968, the company has over 30 years' experience in providing innovative and successful computing solutions that meet real business requirements.

Every Macro 4 solution is designed to be a business-enabler, helping customers make the most of their IT infrastructure in the quest for commercial advantage. Macro 4's global network of subsidiaries and international business partners mean that the company and its solutions are represented in every major market around the world.

NOTE: An electronic screenshot is available on request