Pervasive Extends Support Deep Into Channel Resellers; End Users Benefit from Wide Ranging Support Initiatives.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 1997--Pervasive Software today announced the extension of its established, worldwide channel model to include a Strategic Partner Reseller Program (SPRP) initiative.

Through the SPRP, Pervasive offers a broad range of support services directly to resellers of ISV products that are based on Pervasive database engines. These services enhance the resellers' ability to deliver turnkey applications ideally configured for middle market customers.

In this model, resellers form the critical link between ISVs and the end user, providing need analysis, product specification, installation and training. Resellers are essential to middle market users -- small to medium size businesses and departments within large organizations -- who typically do not have the in-house expertise or financial resources to integrate and launch a customized database solution. Pervasive's SPRP provides these resellers with a comprehensive range of support services designed to help them effectively meet the unique needs of the middle market segment.

Pervasive's ISV partners serve this market by embedding Pervasive database products that are low-maintenance and provide low cost of ownership. These high-volume, packaged client/server applications are then delivered through the value added reseller channel to the end user.

Benefits of the SPRP program include an experienced, dedicated account manager with knowledge of the ISV-based application the reseller is marketing; free, ongoing nationwide technical training and seminar opportunities; an array of sales and marketing tools designed to help close sales; a quarterly newsletter providing up-to- date information on the latest product revisions, introductions, tech tips and competitive analysis; and password access to the dedicated reseller section on Pervasive's web site.

Pervasive Software has a long history of close relationships with ISVs, software developers and VARs -- relationships which have been continually strengthened through an evolving, expanding set of channel programs. Pervasive's SPRP is a natural extension of the highly successful Manufacturing Partner Program (MPP), which gives developers the right to independently manufacture, embed and distribute Pervasive database products in their applications. Through these alliances, manufacturing partners have shipped Pervasive-based applications worldwide. A representative sampling of ISVs with a history of success in the program include:

Apollo Travel

Bergen Computers

Computer Associates

Document Imaging

Enterprise Systems

Exact Software

Fair-Isaac

Great Plains Software, Inc

IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc.

Intel Corporation 

Josten's Learning Corporation

Macess Corporation

Macola Software, Inc.

Magic Software Enterprises

Maximizer Technologies

Scala International

Solomon Software

Unlike Microsoft's recent Applications Developers Customer Unit (ADCU) initiative announcing the intent to develop relationships with professional developers and ISVs, Pervasive offers an established reseller program which supports the VARs' key role in specifying and deploying developers client/server applications for middle market end-users.

"While enterprise-level database providers are busy giving mere lip service to critical middle market deployment issues, Pervasive is solidly focused on the needs of resellers implementing middle market applications," said Jim Stritzinger, president of ClearView Software, a reseller firm. "Pervasive's extensive training and support infrastructure coupled with database engines that are both economical and easy to own make them our middle market database vendor of choice."

"Our goal is to make the reseller channel the value added component of the end user's overall experience," said David Valentino, director of channel marketing, Pervasive Software. "Because of resource constraints, middle market end users depend on system integrators, consultants and resellers for their database solutions. By strongly supporting this network we streamline sales and installation cycles, saving both the reseller and the end-user time and money."

About Pervasive Software

Pervasive Software, Inc. is a leading provider of embedded database software designed to enable the cost-effective deployment and support of low-maintenance, packaged client/server applications. The company's database engines, Btrieve and Scalable SQL 4, are well suited for integration by software developers into business critical applications that are reliable and scalable and can be rapidly deployed. These products enable independent software vendors (ISVs) and value added resellers (VARs) to develop, deploy and support packaged client/server applications that provide robust functionality and low overall cost of ownership to end users. In addition, the company's comprehensive approach to selling, marketing and supporting its products is designed to address the specific needs of ISVs, VARs, in-house development organizations and their end users. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Pervasive Software has offices throughout Europe and operates a majority-owned Japanese subsidiary, Btrieve Technologies Ltd., a joint venture with Novell Japan Ltd. -0-

For reader information, call 800/287-4383, or visit us on the web at www.pervasive-sw.com .

For information via email write: [e-mail] .

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Note to Editors: Scalable SQL, Btrieve, MicroKernal Database Engine and Client/Server In a Box are trademarks of Pervasive Software, Inc. All company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Pervasive Software, Austin

John Wilkinson, 512/794-1646

[e-mail]