Versant expands management team; Object database vendor attracts key talent from Oracle and Sybase.

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 1995--Versant Object Technology announced today that two experienced database professionals have joined the object technology company, known for its industry-leading VERSANT ODBMS. Robert Freeman, former vice president of international marketing for Sybase becomes Versant's new vice president of marketing; James Lochry, former regional director of sales for Oracle is Versant's new vice president of sales. Both individuals join Versant as the company is enjoying the highest growth in its six-year history.

"It is a testament to our stature in the database industry that we can attract such strong players," said David Banks, president and CEO of Versant. "Both Freeman and Lochry understand what it takes to deploy strategic applications into mainstream IS, allowing customers to take advantage of solutions Versant is delivering to firms like Ameritech, MCI, Sprint, Scotiabank, and other companies in the exploding Internet market."

Mr. Lochry joins Versant from nCube where he was the vice president of sales. Prior to that, Lochry was regional director for Oracle's largest sales region. During his tenure at Oracle, his focus on solution selling drove territory performance to far exceed quota consistently. Prior to Oracle, Lochry held a variety of sales management positions at Cincom and at Burroughs.

Mr. Freeman organized and led the Sybase international marketing effort from 1992 through 1994. As vice president of international marketing, he expanded distribution and promotional efforts throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America, increasing international sales from $32M to $108M by 1994. Prior to Sybase, Freeman held key sales and marketing positions at 3Com, including responsibility for Japanese operations and European business development.

Unique among ODBMS providers, Versant targets network management applications in the telecommunications arena, allowing Versant to provide the most complete and appropriate solution for these demanding revenue-critical applications. The company supports network-level management applications for organizations like Alcatel, MCI, and Hitachi, as well as customer and service-oriented applications for customers like GTE, Ameritech, and Sprint. Versant has also made significant inroads beyond telecommunications, counting among its many customers Informix (Informix NewEra repository), Siemens Medical Systems (medical imaging platform), and Scotiabank (branch banking operations).

Versant Object Technology is the industry's leading provider of object database management systems for multi-user, distributed environments. Versant offers a complete product line including the VERSANT ODBMS, the VERSANT Fault Tolerant Server, programming language interfaces to both C++ and Smalltalk, SQL-based legacy data integration, and a family of customer support services Versant also provides VERSANT Argos, a model-driven, Smalltalk-based application development environment. Versant customers include Alcatel, Ameritech, British Telecom, Fujitsu Network Systems, GTE, Informix, MCI, Panasonic, Scotiabank, Siemens, Sprint, Telstra, Texaco, and many other leading organizations worldwide. -0-

Versant, VERSANT ODBMS, and VERSANT Fault Tolerant Server are trademarks of Versant Object Technology Corporation. All other company names and product names are trademarks of the individual companies.

CONTACT: Versant Object Technology

Jay Mellman, 415/329-7505

or

Eiler Communications

Melanie Flanagan, 415/548-9088