System performance boosts linked to Executive Software's DISKEEPER.

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 1995--The battle over file fragmentation has raged for years in the Digital OpenVMS market, and more recently amongst users of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system.

As most system managers will tell you, fragmented files impede system performance and reduce production time.

Mike Mendrek, systems manager at Sonalysts, an engineering firm in Waterford, Conn., watched over a period of months as file fragmentation on his MicroVAX II significantly reduced system response time. ``Our disks were terribly fragmented, which caused delays in reading the data,'' said Mendrek.

In Canada, Stephen Godain, director of software integration for HMS Energy, traced slow system performance to files scattered over the disks of his VAX 4100. Godain's system runs development tool software and operates as a server for 24 VAXstation 4000 workstations.

The ability to fragment a file was initially offered as a solution to the need for large contiguous free spaces on the 2.5 megabyte disks of the early 1970s. As disk sizes expanded and CPU speed increased, files started scattering across disks into hundreds and sometimes thousands of pieces. The I/Os to write and retrieve these scattered pieces resulted in decreased system performance.

Both HMS Energy and Sonalysts solved their fragmentation problems with DISKEEPER, an on-line disk defragmenter from Executive Software.

DISKEEPER was first introduced in the mid-1980s and pioneered on-line disk defragmentation. The product consolidates fragmented files and space on a disk. It does work without interfering with system activity. DISKEEPER runs on system disks as well as data disks and can automatically determine the optimum run frequency to prevent disks from becoming fragmented again.

``We got very good improvement on system speed and performance with DISKEEPER,'' said Mendrek. ``It was a very worthwhile purchase -- Set it and Forget it -- that's what we got.''

Added Godain: ``We have been increasing the number of disks we use every week, and DISKEEPER schedules jobs automatically for each one. It is working very well and I am extremely pleased with the results.''

Executive Software is the leading supplier of advanced system management software. OpenVMS products include DISKEEPER, FRAG GUARD, I/O EXPRESS and FILEMASTER. DISKEEPER is also available for Windows NT Server and Workstation.

Executive Software is located at 701 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, Calif. 91203, and its products and services are available in 60 countries worldwide. For further information call 800/829-4357.

Craig Jensen, Executive Software's chief executive officer and chief technical officer, is the author of a definitive book on fragmentation, titled ``Fragmentation -- the Condition, the Cause, the Cure.'' -0-

Note to Editors: DISKEEPER, FRAG GUARD and I/O EXPRESS are registered trademarks owned by Executive Software International. FILEMASTER is a registered trademark owned by Hancock Software Inc. OpenVMS VAX, OpenVMS Alpha and OpenVMS Clusters are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corp. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 1995 Executive Software International. All Rights Reserved.

CONTACT: Executive Software, Glendale

Matthew Glass, 800/829-4357