Sequent Computer Systems and Informix Software collaborate to offer fully-parallel database functionality on clusters of SMP machines.

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 1996--In a collaborative effort to extend their offerings for the high-end decision support and data warehouse markets, Sequent Computer Systems and Informix Software today announced the development of INFORMIX(R)-OnLine Extended Parallel Server(R) (OnLine XPS) utilizing Sequent's new Scalable Data Interconnect (SDI) on Sequent's family of Symmetry(R) open systems.

The joint solution of INFORMIX(R)-OnLine XPS and Sequent's Scalable Data Interconnect enables customers to tackle terabyte-size data warehouse applications in the most demanding business-critical environments. The general availability of OnLine XPS on Sequent's systems is scheduled for Q3, 1996.

OnLine XPS extends Informix's Dynamic Scalable Architecture (tm) (DSA) to loosely coupled or shared-nothing computing architectures, including clusters of symmetric multiprocessors and massively parallel processors. OnLine XPS is designed to support large database environments for OLTP, data warehousing, imaging, document management and workflow database applications.

Sequent's SDI is a low-latency, high-throughput interconnect for clustered Symmetry systems. Informix has implemented its OnLine XPS product for loosely-coupled symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) systems using the Sequent SDI technology. Sequent's SDI has been designed for the demanding high-end business environment with affordability and manageability features not traditionally found in standard MPP solutions.

SDI is a high-speed data pump that enables customers to create and analyze extremely large data warehouses that are accessed by hundreds to thousands of users running intensive applications, such as data mining programs. SDI, with OnLine XPS, provides out-of-box scalability on up to 120 Intel Pentium(R) processors.

"OnLine XPS is an extension of the Parallel Data Query (tm) (PDQ) technology which Informix developed jointly with Sequent," said David Watson, director of product marketing at Informix.

"While the PDQ functionality in INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server(R) is optimized for symmetric multiprocessing machines, OnLine XPS makes this fully-parallelized database functionality available on MPP systems and clusters of SMP machines, allowing users to harness the power of multiple nodes for running decision support queries.

"OnLine XPS provides not only leading-edge performance and scalability, but also a measure of higher availability which is necessary for business-critical enterprise-scale data warehouses."

Sequent will demonstrate its proven Enterprise Warehouse solutions at the Informix Technology '96 conference which begins May 13 in Beijing, PRC. Attendees will see INFORMIX-OnLine XPS running on Sequent's powerful clustered Symmetry systems.

"The challenge our customers face can be simply stated -- they are looking for the best ways to mine strategic information from the mountains of data they have -- quickly, efficiently and reliably," stated Alan Cox, Sequent's DSS business group manager. "Sequent and Informix have combined the high speed and scalability of SDI with the power of Informix's OnLine XPS to provide our customers an effective solution for strategic data mining."

Informix and Sequent have worked together for nearly a decade to provide end users with scalable, high-performance, multi-processor systems. For the past three years, both companies have put a strategic focus on enabling businesses to successfully implement decision support and data warehousing solutions.

The combined strengths of the two companies' technologies and the seasoned professionalism of its staff provide enterprise users the business solutions that meet the information technology needs of today while providing the foundation and direction for businesses to move successfully into the future.

Informix Software, based in Menlo Park, Calif., provides innovative 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.

Sequent Computer Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNT), is a leading architect and provider of open client/server solutions for enterprise business computing. With an installed base of nearly 8,000 systems, Sequent leads all other vendors of high end UNIX systems supporting very large-scale on-line transaction processing (OLTP), decision support (DSS) and internet-based applications.

Sequent's project-oriented offerings include consulting, educational and professional services geared to help organizations re-architect their existing information technology infrastructures.

Sequent's World Wide Web address is http://www.sequent.com. This news release and other information is available from Sequent's news-on-demand fax service at 800/356-0834. -0-

Sequent, Symmetry and DYNIX/ptx are registered trademarks and NUMA-Q and IQ-Link are trademarks of Sequent Computer Systems Inc. All other trademarks, brand and product names are the property of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.

Bev Barnhart, [e-mail], 503/578-5939

or

The Bernhardt Agency

Debbie Caldwell, [e-mail], 503/226-6452

or

Informix

Cecilia Denny, [e-mail], 415/926-6420

NOTE TO EDITORS: In the Internet/email addresses noted in this news release, there is an "at" symbol between: debbiec AND bernhardt.com; bev AND sequent.com; cdenny AND informix.com. This symbol may not appear properly (or at all) in some systems.