Now Software obtains exclusive marketing rights to Adobe's PIM product line; Adobe Conusmer Group to focus on leveraging Adobe's Technologies.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 1995--Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) today announced that Now Software, Inc. has signed an agreement with Adobe for the exclusive world-wide licensing and marketing rights to Adobe's line of personal information management software.

Under the terms of the agreement, Now Software will license TouchBase(TM) and DateBook(TM) software for Macintosh(R) and TouchBase software for Windows(R) currently marketed by the Adobe consumer group. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Now Software, the leading supplier of personal and workgroup productivity software applications for the Macintosh computer, will consolidate product development and marketing for DateBook and TouchBase at its headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Customer and technical support for DateBook and TouchBase will be provided by Now Software effective immediately. For more information, customers can call [phone].

"This is a positive move for both companies, as well as our customers. It provides Now Software with a strong product offering to supplement its current line and provides DateBook and TouchBase customers with a future path for the products," said Bruce Chizen, vice president, Adobe consumer products group. "This move also allows Adobe to devote more resources toward the development of consumer-oriented products that incorporate the advanced technology of Adobe's professional graphics product line."

Now Software

Now Software is committed to maintaining its leadership in the Macintosh market, as well as developing multi-platform products to meet the needs of both individual and business workgroup customers. The addition of DateBook and TouchBase diversifies the company's product offering of workgroup productivity tools to include a home/small office and individual PIM solution. Additionally, this agreement provides Now Software with an immediate entry into the Windows market. DateBook and TouchBase program users can expect an easy migration to Now Software's future product offerings, such as data and file compatibility with Now Up-to-Date and Now Contact. Plus, Now Software plans to ship DateBook Deluxe CD for Macintosh, which includes DateBook Pro software combined with fun and informative content, later this quarter.

"The combination of DateBook and TouchBase with Now Up-to-Date and Now Contact gives Now Software's customers an unbeatable combination," said Duane Schulz, Now Software president and chief executive officer. "This agreement not only broadens our commitment to the Macintosh market by providing our customers with a choice of personal products that strongly complement our workgroup products, it also provides a solution for Windows users."

Adobe Consumer Group Product Realignment 

The agreement with Now Software furthers Adobe's strategy to focus resources on the development of products that leverage off the company's advanced technology. With the merger between Aldus Corporation and Adobe successfully completed in August 1994, Adobe now markets the line of best-selling graphics and desktop publishing products for the home and small office market, including Adobe HomePublisher, SuperPaint, Type Twister and Art Explorer. The consumer line allows Adobe to reach a new customer base, while leveraging off its reputation as a developer of high-quality products. Re-purposing technology -- for example, using SuperPaint as the engine for Art Explorer -- allows Adobe to grow its business in a new market.

As part of the group's strategy to realign its product focus, Adobe will also discontinue development of its do-it-yourself, home improvement product line, the Adobe Designer Series, including Adobe Home Designer, and Adobe Landscape Designer and Adobe Interior Designer.

"Our long-term strategy is to strengthen our leadership in the areas of graphics, imaging, video and desktop publishing," continued Chizen. "In the next year, we expect to see the Adobe consumer group begin to leverage Adobe technologies and its market expertise."

Adobe Systems Incorporated, founded in 1982, is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Adobe develops, markets and supports computer software products and technologies that enable users to create, display and communicate electronic documents. The company licenses its technology to major computer, printing and publishing suppliers, and markets a line of applications software and type products for authoring visually rich documents. Additionally, the company markets a line of powerful, but easy to use, products for home and small business users. Adobe has subsidiaries in Europe and the Pacific Rim serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors. Adobe's 1994 revenue was approximately $598 million.

Now Software is the leading supplier of personal and workgroup productivity software applications for the Macintosh computer worldwide. Its award-winning products include Now Up-to-Date, Now Contact and Now Utilities. For further information, contact Now Software at 921SW Washington Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97205-2823 or by calling [phone] or by fax at [phone]. -0-

Note to Editors: Adobe, Adobe Home Designer, Adobe Landscape Designer, Adobe Interior Designer, Adobe HomePublishers, SuperPaint, Art Explorer, DateBook, TouchBase and Type Twister are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated or its subsidiaries and may be registered in certain jurisdictions Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc, Now Up-to-Date, Now Contact and Now Utilities are trademarks of Now Software Inc.

CONTACT: Adobe Systems Inc., Mountain View

Sonya Schaefer, 415/962-2630

or

Insync Partners for Now Software, Portland

Delayne Glardini, 503/226-8231