PLATINUM TO ACQUIRE ANSWER SYSTEMS; Help Desk Software Added To PLATINUM's Open Enterprise Systems Management Strategy.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 1995--PLATINUM technology, inc., (NASDAQ: PLAT) today announced that it has agreed in principal to acquire Answer Systems, Inc., of San Jose, California. Answer Systems is a leader in client/server help desk solutions. Answer System's flagship product, Apriori, is a support automation product that contains patented, award-winning Bubble-Up problem resolution technology. Apriori is used by 150 corporations worldwide to more effectively manage their support organizations and provide outstanding service quality. The Answer Systems acquisition is a key component of PLATINUM's plan to provide comprehensive, integrated management solutions for the Open Enterprise Environment (OEE) -- the networked computing environment that includes MVS-, UNIX- and Windows-based platforms and may also contain VMS, AS400 and OS/2 systems.

PLATINUM has agreed in principal to exchange approximately $38 million of PLATINUM stock for all of the outstanding shares of Answer Systems. Answer Systems will become a wholly owned subsidiary of PLATINUM. The transaction is subject to the partners entering into definitive agreements and the satisfaction of conditions customary for transactions of this nature. It is expected that the acquisition will qualify as a tax free reorganization and be accounted for as a pooling of interests.

"In a marketplace crowded with companies selling `me-too' products, Answer stands out as a leader in providing unique and proven technology for the enterprise support center," said Andrew J. Filipowski, president and CEO of PLATINUM technology, inc. "We believe that no other company in the client/server help desk market has demonstrated as much customer success and technology leadership as Answer. This acquisition provides another critical best-of-breed component in our enterprise systems management strategy."

"This relationship is good news for Answer's customers who are looking to expand the scope of the help desk to real enterprise-wide support for both legacy and client/server technologies," said Brian Aspland, president of Answer Systems, Inc. "This is also exciting for our customers who want to integrate the help desk with critical business areas within the enterprise such as accounting, engineering, human resources, sales and marketing."

Co-founder of Answer Systems, Louise Kirkbride said, "There is a perfect match between two companies. It is the realization of my vision for Answer's technology and the role it will play in the enterprise. Clearly, small contenders in the help desk market cannot deliver the kind of high quality, comprehensive solution set that PLATINUM can now provide. We hope this partnership will provide a fast road to success for corporations worldwide in reaping the benefits of enterprise computing."

About Answer Systems

Founded by Kirkbride and Rick Gifford and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Answer Systems pioneered and now leads the market for client/server help desk solutions for the Corporate Answer Center. The company's Apriori family of support applications are the only products of their kind to deliver just-in-time (JIT) problem resolution--the key to high productivity and fast return on investment (ROI) for support organizations facing today's fast-changing computer environments and expanding user base. Answer's customers use the product in hardware, software, and network support environments, as well as for more generalized business- process support. Answer customers include: AT&T, Barclays Bank, Cargill, Renault, France Telecom, Harvard University, Interleaf, Hewlett Packard, Walgreens, Lehman Brothers and Prudential Securities.

Recognized as a leader in the support automation business, Answer recently received the "Innovations in Service Award" from Service News for its industry leading problem resolution technology. In March, Apriori received the Editor's Choice Award from Call Center Magazine. Apriori was also recently added to the "A" List of outstanding products in the enterprise computing environment, compiled by Open Systems Advisors in conjunction with Open Computing Magazine and Business Week. Recent announcements from Answer include Hands Free Support, a leading edge self-service problem resolution technology using the Internet and World Wide Web, and the use of multimedia for advanced problem solving. Answer and AT&T recently announced a partnership for support of the PassageWay computer-telephony integration (CTI) platform.

PLATINUM Acquisition Strategy

The acquisition of Answer is an integral component of PLATINUM's open enterprise systems management (OESM) strategy. OESM ties together critical management functions of both MVS and client/server systems. PLATINUM will help information systems executives manage their open enterprise environments by linking the data management, network management, job management, production management, database administration, back-up and recovery, security, program management, help desk and transaction management functions.

Recently, the company announced plans to merge with Trinzic Corporation, a major developer of application development, data warehousing, and client/server tools and services. The company also recently completed the acquisitions of SQL Software Corporation, a provider of Windows-based development tools for managing multiple relational databases; BrownStone Solutions, Inc., a vendor of client/server repository technology; Viatech Development, a provider of electronic software distribution tools; and Autosystems Corporation, a UNIX job management tool supplier.

PLATINUM's OESM plans call for continued internal development of a host of new products for multiple computing platforms. PLATINUM also plans to form other alliances to help broaden its range of OESM solutions.

CONTACT: PLATINUM technology, inc., Oakbrook Terrace

Michelle Edelman, 708/620-5116 ext.1730

or

Copithorne & Bellows

David Kitchen/Wendy DeFeudis, 617/252-0606