Mentor Graphics Deploys Enterprise-wide Financial Planning and Forecasting Solutions Using Alphablox's InLine Analytics Platform.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Hyperion Solutions 2004

Booth# 401

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2004

Planning Solution Automates Process and Reduces Cycle by Three

Full Months

Alphablox(R) Corporation, the leading provider of InLine Analytics(TM) for enterprise solutions, today announced that Mentor Graphics(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) has deployed enterprise-wide financial planning and forecasting solutions using Alphablox's InLine Analytics platform.

"The automated financial planning solution we built with Alphablox's analytics platform has alleviated many of our workflow challenges and has reduced our financial planning process by a full three months," said Tony Adrian, vice president, corporate controller, Mentor Graphics. "We now have more in-depth budgets ready within a week after the beginning of the new fiscal year. With over 1200 separate cost centers, our ROI is tremendous. We rolled out the planning solution first, and given its success, we have integrated the forecasting function with planning. Beyond these applications, we intend to use Alphablox's analytics platform for further financial applications."

The planning solution draws a combination of actual and forecasted information from the forecasting solution, then automatically gathers detail on key expense drivers for each of the worldwide cost centers. The solution then applies new planning assumptions, allows proposed spending on new initiatives, circulates the budget for approvals, and consolidates the detail into the final enterprise-wide budget. This enables cost center managers and financial planners to develop detailed budgets backed by "what if" scenarios. Final budgets are deployed to each cost center with only the details pertinent to the cost center visible. The forecasting solution interoperates with the planning solution, incorporating changes to the key expense drivers to build a detailed forecast.

The financial planning solution has instituted a level of consistency in the Mentor Graphics worldwide budget planning process including standardization of benefits across all cost centers with consistent planning of royalties and commissions between regions. The solution enables manipulation of costs such as headcount and asset acquisition, and forces mutual consent for cross charges between cost centers. Now in production, this solution has over 150 users in 60 Mentor Graphics offices around the world. Recently released into production, the forecasting solution has already successfully completed two quarterly roll-ups.

"We selected the Alphablox platform because of its easy-to-use interface and its superior performance on other applications we've deployed," said Jan-Willem Beldman, the senior decision support architect for the Mentor Graphics IT Decision Support Group. "We could see that the platform had the flexibility and ease of personalization needed to handle our design and performance challenges, and that it would integrate well with our existing Essbase, SAP, and Oracle information."

"The return on investment that Mentor Graphics has realized on this financial planning solution exemplifies the value of integrating business analytics in line with business processes," said Joe Guglielmi, CEO of Alphablox. "Our InLine Analytics platform enables companies like Mentor Graphics to increase efficiency and optimize business performance, delivering relevant business insights to the right people at critical decision points."

Building on its strategy to connect with the broadest possible array of data sources, Alphablox recently announced support for Hyperion Essbase 7, and is extending support for Hyperion's Essbase platform. The integration of Hyperion Essbase functionality with Alphablox Analytics provides companies such as Mentor Graphics with unique capabilities and unparalleled analytic depth to help them integrate analytics into their business processes and optimize their business performance.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $675 million and employs over 3,700 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

About Alphablox

Alphablox Corporation provides the leading InLine Analytics platform enabling Global 2000 corporations to develop and deploy real-time analytic solutions for optimizing business performance. Combining best-in-the-industry professional services with award-winning analytics technology, Alphablox's solutions integrate seamlessly into existing business processes and enterprise infrastructures, empowering front-line business people with personalized analytic applications to drive targeted business objectives. Market leaders in financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, and retail such as ABN Amro, Deutsche Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mentor Graphics, Neiman Marcus, Seagate, and Toys R Us, rely on Alphablox's powerful analytic solutions. The company has financial backing from leading investment firms, including Accel Partners, Mohr, Davidow Ventures, Integral Capital Partners, and Deutsche Bank among others. Founded in 1996, Alphablox is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has offices and distributors throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Asia. For additional information on Alphablox and its solutions call 888-256-9669 or visit the company's Web site at www.alphablox.com.

Alphablox, the Alphablox logo, SpreadsheetBlox, ReportBlox, Alphablox Alerts and InLine Analytics are the trademarks or registered trademarks of Alphablox Corporation.