arcplan announces version 3.0 of dynaSight; New version of analytic reporting platform strengthens its key role in Web-based business intelligence and corporate portal solutions.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2001

arcplan, inc., a leading provider of powerful front-end analysis solutions and business intelligence software, announced its release of version 3.0 of dynaSight(R), its flagship analytic reporting platform. dynaSight enables the development of tailored, Web-based enterprise decision support systems.

"With version 3.0, users can analyze critical data faster than ever before. CFOs, CEOs and line-of-business leaders need to spend their time driving business value, not learning new tools or crunching numbers. Version 3.0's rich and highly intuitive reporting technology helps them turn business information into a plan of action," commented Roland Hoelscher, CEO of arcplan Inc.

dynaSight offers information consumers intuitive navigation to business critical information. A mouse click provides real-time access to all relevant data, making complex end-user tools or training obsolete. Powerful internal functionality and flexibility empower developers to easily create unlimited analytical reporting applications without additional programming. dynaSight enables the seamless integration and presentation of multiple data sources on the front end, ensuring standardization and integrity of information. Users get fast, intuitive access to enterprise data warehouses including SAP R/3 and SAP Business Information Warehouse (BW), Hyperion Enterprise and Hyperion Essbase, Microsoft Analysis Services , Applix iTMI, Oracle Express, as well as relational database management systems (RDBMS) and web-content via XML.

Included among the new enhancements to Version 3.0 are: integrated HTML for faster web delivery and integration of critical business information; enhanced visualization with Open GL; Interactive Query for improved ad-hoc reporting capability; and a new native interface to SAP Business Information Warehouse with unique read/write access.

Integrated HTML

Version 3.0's HTML Viewer allows the individual combination of dynaSight objects with freely structured data (such as illustrations, texts, animations, graphics and tables) on a company's Internet or Intranet pages. Content can now be linked quickly and easily in the desired form and independently of the design of the original dynaSight applications. Explained Hoelscher, "Management, staff, shareholders and other interested parties have access to company information at any time anywhere, and prepared according to their needs, while developers ave access to dynaSight's rich and flexible development platform. Our new version strengthens it's key role in Web-based business intelligence and corporate portal solutions."

Enhanced three-dimensional visualization through OpenGL

inSight(R), dynaSight's development environment, allows internal editors to freely and intuitively combine tables, texts, graphics and images. Data is always current and displayed professionally, often adopting corporate design requirements. Version 3.0's use of OpenGL technology now allows both the three-dimensional representation of design features, buttons and graphics types and also the inclusion of light-and-shade effects. "The targeted use of 3-D items enhances not only the attractiveness of the information system but can also visually emphasize critical data," Hoelscher said. For example, turnover or the year's profits can be clearly emphasized by means of an individually configurable, artificial lighting effect. "The attention of the user is instantly focused on the essential information," Hoelscher added.

Ad-Hoc Reporting Capabilities

The Interactive Query allows ad-hoc processing by business users. Data can be quickly and easily analyzed across multiple dimensions on-the-fly without additional development efforts.

Native BAPI interfaces

For SAP BW 2.0, dynaSight offers a native BAPI interface allowing direct integration to SAP BW. As of Release 2.0 of the SAP Business Information Warehouse, the OLAP BAPI Interface (OBI) provides functions that can be used by 3rd party reporting tools to access data that is stored in BW's InfoCubes. dynaSight is the first - and so far only - third-party software to be certified for the BW-OBI interface for BW 2.0.

Data entry in SAP BW via SAP SEM

With SAP Strategic Enterprise Management (SAP SEM), SAP is offering a comprehensive solution for analytical support of the strategic management process. By using the new arcplan interface, customers will be allowed to directly access the Business Planning Simulation module (BPS) of SAP SEM 2.0B and more fully utilize its processing and analytical power. Tightly integrated write back capabilities now allow SAP customers to leverage the flexible application design options of dynaSight for the creation of customized, intuitive and web-enabled budgeting, planning and forecast applications.

In addition, a recent announcement from SAP awarded arcplan new certifications for the interface OLE DB for OLAP (BW-ODB) and the native BAPI (BW-OBI) for BW - a status only arcplan enjoys. The arcplan/ SAP BW combined solution are used with many of the world's largest companies, such as Eastman Kodak, Kimberly-Clark, Phillips Petroleum, Rhone Poulenc Rorer, Siemens and Tellabs.

About arcplan, Inc.

arcplan Inc., headquartered in Wayne, PA, is a leading vendor of front-end analytic solutions for the OLAP and RDBMS market. arcplan's software dynaSight(R) permits direct access to many types of data sources, as well as quick and simple analysis and professional visualization of data for every hierarchical level. It fulfills the diverse needs and requirements of any comprehensive information system and can be applied in any IT infrastructure to create seamless and powerful analytical solutions. Customers include AIG, BP Amoco, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Deloitte Consulting, Eastman Kodak, Federal Express, Novartis, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Pfizer, and Safeway Supermarkets. Additional information on arcplan and its products can be obtained by calling (877)2-arcplan or via the company's Web site at www.arcplan.com.

dynaSight and insight are trademarks of arcplan, Inc.

Hyperion, Hyperion Enterprise and Essbase are registered trademarks

and Hyperion Solutions is a trademark of Hyperion Solutions

Corporation. All other trademarks and company names mentioned are

the property of their respective owners.