Visible Introduces Affordable Alternatives For Object And Relational Database Modeling.

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 1997--

Visible's easy-to-use repository-based tools set a new

price/performance standard in the industry

Visible Systems Corporation today announced two new data modeling and database design products that have all the features of more expensive competing products yet are priced at only $695. EasyER 1.5 and EasyOBJECT 1.5 surpass competing products in the number of methods supported, integrated data dictionary and repository, support for application development products and databases, and ease of use. Both products are designed to help developers create or reengineer complex desktop and client/server databases to support business applications.

"With EasyOBJECT and EasyER, we've removed the price barrier for development teams that need multiple copies of a powerful, easy-to- use, repository-based data modeling and database design tool," said Rob Pritt, executive vice president of Visible Systems. "Product features are comparable to - and in several ways better than - those of other development tools that cost $1,500 to $5,000. We support all popular object and relational data modeling notations and methodologies and have an excellent Visual Basic interface, which customers demand. And, because our products have an integrated repository, customers don't have to buy data dictionary add-ons. In fact, some competitors' add-ons cost more than our tool!

"We've also provided a lot of extras that you don't usually find in moderately priced tools. The products include extensive on- line documentation and a comprehensive tutorial. And, the products are readily available from our web site, so customers can download fully functional demonstration products, try them, and then purchase them in a matter of hours."

Chris Davis, a programmer for Citibank Student Loan Corporation, the world's second largest originator and holder of student loans, commented: "EasyER packs a lot of features into one easy-to-use product. It's played a key role in modeling and building a business-critical application under Visual Basic/SQL Server using an object-based approach. Power and simplicity are evident in scores of the product's feature set: reverse and forward engineering, reports, chart creation, data dictionary management, VB interface, and OO/ER notations. Key for us has been EasyER's support for modeling and generating VB classes and the support for generating SQL Server features like domains, triggers, and stored procedures. I've used some of the leading OO/ER modeling products on the market. EasyER stands out among them, exceeding in features, power, and ease of use at a very attractive price."

Competitive Modeling Features

EasyOBJECT is a data modeling tool that uses class diagrams based on data modeling notations defined by Coad-Yourdon, Rumbaugh OMT, and the Unified Modeling Language (UML). EasyER uses entity relationship diagrams (ERDs) based on notations defined by Martin IE, Bachman, IDEFIX, and Shlaer-Mellor. Such comprehensive method support rivals that of competing products. A combined version of EasyER and EasyOBJECT is also available, which includes support for both sets of notations.

EasyER and EasyOBJECT support logical and physical data modeling, database schema generation, reverse engineering, and extensive reporting. Both products are built on a client/server data dictionary, which functions as an integrated repository for the central storage of project and chart object definitions. The repository allows stored information, such as entities and relationships, to be quickly and easily accessed and used on any chart created for a project.

Unlike competing products, EasyER and EasyOBJECT have chart editors that give developers extensive style control over the diagram appearance and individual objects on it, such as colors, line width, and font. Another competitive advantage is extensive support for Visual Basic, Powerbuilder, and Delphi.

Pricing and Distribution Information

The standard versions of EasyER 1.5 or EasyOBJECT 1.5 cost $695. The Professional version of each product, which includes interfaces for Powerbuilder, Visual Basic, and Delphi, is priced at $995. Both products are available from the Visible web site (www.Visible.com), from any Visible sales office, or through a variety of domestic and international reseller catalogs.

Visible Systems Corporation

Visible Systems Corporation, headquartered in Waltham, MA, recently merged with Information Engineering Systems Corporation and Evergreen Software Tools, Inc., to become the leader in application development tools, training, and consulting. Visible now has almost 100,000 users of its products worldwide and a product line ranging from low-cost to medium-priced and full- featured software engineering tools.

The company's products include Visible Analyst, a data, process, and object modeling tool for developing enterprise applications; EasyCASE, an award-winning data, process, and event modeling tool; Visible Advantage, a CASE tool for complex, cross-functional enterprise-class development; Visible Advisor, a hypermedia methodology reference product; and Visible Universal Model, which provides a fast-start approach to creating a quality data architecture and warehouse.

Visible's training and education services are focused on helping client personnel develop mastery of the company's products using business-driven, model-based, object-oriented approaches. The company also offers interactive computer-based training (CBT) courses on application development and software project management. Facilitation and consulting services range from periodic to full-time support of client projects in areas such as data, process, and object modeling; quality rapid application development; enterprise architecture planning; data warehouse development; and business process reengineering.

CONTACT: Carol Read

Visible Systems Corporation

[phone], ext. 25

[e-mail]

or

Linda Marquis

Marketing Communications 

[phone]

[e-mail]