NeoVista and Informix to Deliver Data Mining DataBlade Modules for INFORMIX-Universal Server; NeoVista Decision Series DataBlade Modules Will Provide Informix Users With Highly Integrated Data Mining/Data Warehouse Solutions.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 1996--NeoVista Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-level data mining solutions, and Informix Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leading provider of innovative database technology, announced today the two companies are working together to tightly couple NeoVista's Decision Seriesx suite of integrated data mining tools with the INFORMIX(r)-Universal Server.

Integrating the NeoVista Decision Series with the INFORMIX-Universal Server in the form of data mining DataBlade modules will unify the technologies of data mining with data warehousing, giving database analysts and end-users an accessible and highly leveraged knowledge discovery environment. By making the separate components of data mining-data, functions and procedures-into individual DataBlade modules and SQL functions, customers can develop and execute complex data mining applications completely within the INFORMIX-Universal Server, similar to the way more conventional drill-down techniques extract data from the database.

The NeoVista Decision Series synthesizes pattern discovery and recognition tools, relational databases and widely-accepted interface standards into a complete, integrated scalable business analysis system. Using NeoVista's data mining technology, complex relationships and patterns can be determined independent of preconceived notions, providing powerful capabilities for generating prediction models, explaining associations in the data, or generating optimal business outcomes. These techniques can be used to solve complex business problems such as profiling customer buying patterns in the retail industry.

The INFORMIX-Universal Server is the industry's first enterprise-capable, extensible, relational database management system. INFORMIX-Universal Server combines the Illustra extensible content management system with Informix's core parallel database technology, Dynamic Scalable Architecturex (DSA). The blend of high-performance relational database technology with Informix's DataBlade technology creates an integrated information managex to deliver powerful, integrated data mining/data warehousing business solutions."

"NeoVista has cleThis is a major step forward in making data mintransforming data, searching for patterns, int and the reporting and logging of results. By formulating the data components and functions of the NeoVistss.

The NeoVista Decision Series capitali specific formats to achieve the utmost performance and accuracy. The transformational techniques such as sampling, conditioning, format conversion, pivoting and encoding are as important to successful knowledge discovery as the data mining tools. By incorporating these techniques and the data mining engines as DataBlade modules, knowledge discovery can be executed under the control of the INFORMIX-Universal Server, maximizing performance by executing within the database, and minimizing storage requirements generated by copying data into intermediate files.

-- Analysis. Administrative control of the knowledge discovery moded for later analyses and comparison. For example, SQL statements can be used to compare the results of two different neural net models, or to compare the accuracy of different methods of analysis (neural net and decision tree).

-- Deployment. As the data mining process is administered via the INFORMIX-Universal Server, and because the INFORMIX-Universal Server maintains information on previous trials and data mining models, it becomes possible to select a model and apply it to an appropriate data set. For example, if a model has been developed that has been used to determine the fraudulent use of credit cards, and has been successfully used in a number of similar trials, it is possible to execute the model as an SQL statement on a new data collection with a minimum of setup, since the process has previously been established and defined.

"This is a very innovative application of DataBlades," said Herb Edelstein, President of Two Crows, a consulting firm specializing in data warehousing and data mining, based in Potomac, Maryland. "Integrating data mining functions with the database management system will allow users to develop some very exciting applications, increasing the utility of the corporate database. For example, in the telecommunications industry," Edelstein said, "not only could data mining perform customer churn analysis within the decision support environment, but fraud detection could be deployed as part of the transaction system."

Availability

The NeoVista Decision Series data mining DataBlade modules are targeted for initial availability in the second quarter, 1997. Prictive database technology that enables the world's leading corporations to manage and grow their business. Informix is widely recognized as the technology leader for corporate computing environments ranging from workgroups to very large OLTP and data warehouse applications. Informix's database servers, application development tools, superior customer service, and strong partnerships enable the company to be at the forefront of many leading-edge information technology solution areas.

With the acquisition of Illustra's completely extensible database technology, Informix is now positioned as the first information management company capable of meeting the market's exploding need for a sophisticated database engine that combines enterprise scalability, robustness, and parallel processing with the ability to store, retrieve, manage and manipulate virtually any kind of rich information content. More information about Informix is available via the World Wide Web at http://www.informix.com and http://www.illustra.com.

About NeoVista Solutions, Inc.

NeoVista Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., provides comprehensive, enterprise-level data mining solutions and associated professional services to Global 2000 companies. Utilizing its extensive experience in intelligent pattern recognition, parallel solutions, and databases, NeoVista works with customers and solution partners to design and build applications that identify meaningful patterns and relationships of business activity within the detailed data of corporate databases. These patterns are used to explain the dynamics of business activities and to profile future business actions through simulations of potential outcomes.

The NeoVista Decision Series is based on a comprehensive suite of automated knowledge discovery software, and is designed to be highly scalable to meet a wide range of business needs and to integrate easily with legacy and open systems decision support environments. More information about NeoVista is available via the World Wide Web at http://www.neovista.com.

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The following are worldwide trademarks of Informix Software, Inc. or its affiliates, registered in the United States of America, as indicated by (R), and numerous other countries worldwide: INFORMIX(R); Illustra(TM); and DataBlade(R). All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

NeoVista Solutions, Inc. and The Decision Series are trademarks of NeoVista Solutions, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Informix

Jaye Prosser, 415/926-6316

[e-mail]

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For NeoVista Solutions:

Humphrey Strategic Communications

Scott Humphrey, 503/w York 212-752-9600 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-

800-225-2030; SF 415-986-4422 or 800-227-0845; LA 310-820-9473