Softworks announces new capabilities of performance product; Performance Solution(R) version 2.1 released.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Softworks, a subsidiary of Computer Concepts Corp. (NASDAQ:CCEE), and a leading global provider of data, storage, and systems management software and services for multi-platform environments, today announced the release of the enhanced Performance Solution, Version 2.1.

Performance Solution consists of three performance products: I/O Plus for VSAM, I/O Plus for xSAM, and Hiperload for VSAM. Performance Solution is a component of the SOFTWORKS Performance Arena, which is a comprehensive group of products that dramatically improve the performance of mission-critical systems and applications.

Performance Solution offers improved VSAM file load performance by up to 80 percent, and reduces VSAM batch processing time by up to 90 percent. Performance Solution eliminates manual tuning efforts and supplies the expertise needed to effect improvements through an intuitive user interface. In addition, Performance Solution ensures the ability to meet service level agreements by eliminating batch window overruns, and defers or eliminates CPU upgrades. Intuitive selection of VSAM performance options includes LSR, NSR, and SIS.

Performance Solution Version 2.1 productivity enhancements include a new CUA-compliant ISPF user interface that simplifies product installation, implementation, and usage. Performance options can now be set and maintained by the application end user, making fine tuning jobs substantially easier. In addition, the user documentation is now available on-line in Adobe Acrobat for greater end-user productivity.

The Performance Solution Version 2.1 subsystem provides further reductions in CPU utilization and ECSA requirements. The Performance Solution subsystem expands the capabilities of the HiperLoad Plus component to include all VSAM load programs -- now every VSAM load will experience dramatic performance gains.

This newest release of Performance Solution Version 2.1 makes the installation process easier with an ISPF-based foreground installation operation. This enhancement provides rapid implementation of new product releases so performance gains can be achieved quickly in a production environment.

Performance Solution version 2.1 is Year 2000 compliant, so all date-related product functions support dates both before and after the millennium.

Softworks' Performance arena addresses the Information Technology (IT) manager's need to optimize application and system performance in MVS environments. These performance products work together to pinpoint performance bottlenecks at all levels, enhance VSAM and sequential access methods and extend VSAM capabilities. Mission-critical application performance is improved with Softworks products as resource utilization is improved and programmer productivity is increased.

Softworks addresses mission-critical needs with intuitive, intelligent and integrated products that not only work across platforms, but extend the life of existing applications and hardware. Softworks currently offers solutions that operate within arenas that focus on critical IT needs. These arena include: the Performance Arena, the DataStor Arena, and the Year 2000 Arena.

Softworks Inc., founded in 1977, responds to the data management needs of more than 1,800 organizations worldwide supporting customers in over 50 countries. Softworks' customers include approximately 80 percent of the Fortune 100. The company maintains sales offices in eight U.S. locations. In addition, the company has a subsidiary, Softworks International Ltd., based in Hertfordshire, England. Information regarding Softworks can be obtained on the Worldwide Web at http://www.softworkscc.com.

Computer Concepts Corp., the parent company, develops and markets software tools, including its d.b.Express(TM) software, that assist computer end-users in accessing data otherwise difficult to retrieve. Its Softworks subsidiary maintains an objective to help IT organizations get the most out of investments in hardware, software and people by optimizing the performance of critical system resources and assuring the highest levels of information availability for multiplatform environments. The Computer Concepts Corp., subsidiary, MapLinx Corp., focuses on PC Geographic Information Systems (GIS) interfaces for end-user applications. Information regarding d.b.Express can be obtained by accessing the d.b.Express Worldwide Web Server at http://www.pb.net/~dbexpress.

Note to editors: In the Internet address for d.b.Express, there is a "tilde" between net/ and dbexpress. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.

CONTACT: Softworks, Alexandria, Va.

703/317-2424 or 800/727-4422

http://www.softworkscc.com

or

Softworks International Ltd., England

44-1582-767-940

or

Marketing Communications Specialist

Vicki Weisel, 703/317-8720