Microsoft To Include Manual Version of Executive Software's Diskeeper Defragmenter in Windows NT 5.0.

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 1997--Executive Software Friday announced that Microsoft Corp. has agreed to include a manual version of Executive Diskeeper defragmenter in the Microsoft Windows NT 5.0 operating system.

Microsoft recognizes the importance of periodic defragmentation of disks in certain circumstances to maximize system performance. As the version in Windows NT 5.0 will be a manual solution, many network administrators will want to upgrade to the "Set It and Forget It" version of Diskeeper for automatic defragmentation of servers and workstations across the network. Visit Executive Software's Web site at www.diskeeper.com for upgrade details.

Diskeeper Product Manager George Goodrich said: "All modern operating systems allow fragmentation of files and disk space. Allowing a file to be fragmented optimizes use of disk space and, in most cases, speeds the storage of the file.

"However, reading a fragmented file can take extra time and, when fragmentation becomes severe, its impact on performance can affect users. Under those circumstances, defragmentation can reduce that performance impact significantly."

Goodrich continued: "This version of Diskeeper is similar to other manual utilities in Windows NT like CHKDSK (Check Disk) and Backup. It will serve the needs of the individual user and small offices or data centers with on-site administrators. However, network administrators for larger installations will want to upgrade to the full-featured version to eliminate the potential performance impact due to fragmentation completely."

The full-featured retail version of Diskeeper is the only defragmenter for Windows NT with network controls that allow administrators to schedule, monitor and launch defragmentation across a network. This feature saves network administrators from having to run around to each desktop and server to defragment disks or grant administrative privileges to users.

Ed Young, network manager at Utah State University stated: "Our Windows NT-based machines were slowing down. It took 15 minutes to load a single graphical design drawing. Later we found that the performance degradation was caused by our 70 percent disk fragmentation...Once we installed Diskeeper, we were able to launch applications, access data and download our graphics in a fraction of the time -- three minutes instead of 15."

"We are pleased to work with Executive Software to provide customers with a disk fragmentation solution," said Rich Tong, marketing vice president of Microsoft's Personal and Business Systems Division. "The inclusion of a version of Diskeeper in Windows NT 5.0 will give customers a fast, built-in defragmentation utility."

With Diskeeper, software loading times and database search times can be cut in half. Performance can be increased for Internet servers, e-mail servers, graphics and financial applications. Multimedia and video applications are kept smooth and synchronized.

Executive Software is the industry leader in increasing performance in enterprise-class Windows NT-based networks. It has safely eliminated file fragmentation from dynamic enterprise-class systems for the last 11 years, beginning with the release of Diskeeper for Digital Equipment Corp.'s VMS operating system -- an enterprise system with which Windows NT has shared development roots.

Diskeeper is certified as Microsoft BackOffice compatible, which indicates that it integrates to boost performance for the entire Microsoft BackOffice family of server products. Diskeeper is featured on the Windows Magazine 1997 Recommended List and is winner of the "Best of LAN Times" magazine award.

Suggested retail prices are $75 for Diskeeper for Windows NT Workstation and $399 for Diskeeper for Windows NT Server. Available platforms include Intel and Alpha. There are no client-access charges.

Executive Software is located at 701 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, Calif. 91203. Phone numbers are 800/829-6468 and 818/547-2050. Free utilities such as Diskeeper Lite for Windows NT 4.0 and the Fragmentation Analysis Utility can be downloaded from the World Wide Web at http://www.diskeeper.com . -0- Note: DISKEEPER and "Set It and Forget It" are registered trademarks owned by Executive Software International. Microsoft, Windows NT and BackOffice are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. OpenVMS, VMS, VAX and Alpha are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Executive Software International Inc., Glendale

Jobee Knight, 800/829-6468