Lotus Ships Approach 96 Edition for Windows 95

Native, 32-bit Database Delivers Dramatic Usability and Integration Enhancements

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., December 4, 1995 -- Lotus Development Corp. today announced that it will begin shipping Lotus Approach 96 Edition for Windows 95 this week. Lotus Approach 96 is a major, 32-bit upgrade of Lotus' top-rated relational database for Windows.
Approach 96 offers more than 100 new features including significant innovations in database usability, full support for the LotusScript programming language and OLE 2.0. Powerful team computing capabilities enable everyone on the business team -- from salespeople to operations managers to financial analysts -- to seamlessly share, analyze and report on information. In addition, Approach 96 is optimized for the Windows 95 operating system and fully exploits 32-bit multi-tasking, long file names and integration with the Windows 95 desktop shell.
"Lotus Approach 96 represents a superb engineering effort," said Jaleh Bisharat, general manager of the Approach Database Division. "While continuing to break new ground in database usability for business end users, Approach 96 now delivers powerful programmability and SQL enhancements for corporate MIS customers."

Usability Enhancements Break New Ground
As the leader in usability, this version of Approach sets new ease-of-use standards for queries and analysis. Key new features include:

*The Find Assistant lets even novice users create and store sophisticated queries like top or bottom value finds, duplicate record searches and multi-condition finds with step-by-step guidance. Once named, an innovative interface for named finds lets users reapply those finds quickly and easily.
*The SQL Assistant employs a friendly tabbed interface and familiar terminology to guide business end users in identifying those SQL tables, rows and columns they wish to access. This significantly narrows the data set for increased manageability and performance when working with SQL data. In addition, MIS professionals can directly enter and save standard SQL statements. SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard query language for most large corporate databases.
*Drill Down to Data gives Approach Executive Information Systems (EIS) capabilities by facilitating data analysis and decision making and allowing users to select elements of any chart or crosstab and request the underlying data.
*Custom Groupings support the meaningful organization of information in reports and crosstabs by letting users specify intelligent data groupings by Month, Quarter, Day of Week for dates, and sets of text characters for text and more.
*SmartMaster Applications let users get started fast by providing robust, customizable database applications for more than a dozen uses including a human resources system, ordertaking and contact management. These SmartMasters come complete with professionally designed reports, forms, database joins and pre-programmed actions built with the LotusScript programming language.

Lotus Approach continues to feature its unique Powerclick reportwriter which allows users to design reports quickly, easily and accurately by allowing users to see how data will appear in print as you work. Unlike other Windows databases, Approach 96 provides WYSIWYG report design that lets users view exactly how their report will look and print as they are constructing it. Additionally, users can group, organize and generate calculations by simply clicking on graphical SmartIcons when developing reports.

Programmability and Integration Provide Dramatic New Application
Development Capabilities
Superior integration enables users to create sophisticated, custom business solutions. LotusScript Programmability allows developers to build standalone and cross-product applications using object-oriented programming capabilities. The LotusScript Interactive Development Environment (IDE) brings together the Object Browser, the Debugger and the Program Editor:

*LotusScript ObjectBrowser; enables users to scroll through all available objects along with their associated properties, methods and events through a resizable window and notetab interface consistent with other aspects of the Approach interface.
*LotusScript Debugger; helps users easily debug LotusScript programming by employing a step-by-step view of program execution along with on-screen feedback of programming variables.
* LotusScript Program Editor; offers an interactive facility that helps write programs by assuring proper nesting of code and balanced expressions.

Approach 96's other integration features include full OLE 2.0 support with Approach serving as either an OLE 2.0 server or container. In addition, Approach includes new support for OLE 2.0 visual editing as well as OLE Custom Controls (OCX's). One such OCX, called the Sax Webster Custom Control, will ship with the CD-ROM version of Approach 96. Using Approach 96 and the Sax Webster Custom Control will enable users to store and categorize unlimited numbers of Internet Web sites, as well as to program virtually any desired Internet function -- like extracting and charting information from specified Internet pages or notifying users when certain pages have changed.

Team Computing Features Increase Businesses Competitive Advantage
Approach 96's team computing capabilities allow business teams to share information seamlessly and securely. High performance data access enables users to directly access, update, manipulate and report on team information stored in DB2, Paradox, Oracle, dBase or in virtually any other format. The new Notes PowerKey feature provides fast, direct access to information stored in Notes enabling users to enjoy both the back-end security and replication benefits of Notes as well as the front-end reporting and analysis capabilities of Approach. Team Security helps maintain data integrity by providing customized security privileges for individual team members or entire groups, while Team Mail allows users to disseminate or route Approach documents through any VIM or MAPI-compliant mail system.

Pricing, Availability and Systems Requirements
Lotus Approach 96 for Windows 95 is available immediately in the U.S. through Lotus Authorized Resellers at an estimated retail price of $105.00 for the standard edition (fully networkable). As part of Lotus' Global Product Strategy, International English, French, Italian, German and Spanish versions of Approach 96 Edition for Windows 95 are scheduled to ship simultaneously with the U.S. version. Other European language versions will be available within 60 days. Other international customers should consult their local Lotus offices for local-language version availability and pricing. Approach 2.x and 3.x owners will receive a $20 upgrade rebate for upgrading to the new version.
System requirements for Lotus Approach 96 for Windows 95 include an IBM PC or compatible 386 or higher; Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.51; 15Mb of hard-disk space; a VGA or higher resolution monitor; a mouse or other pointing device; and 8Mb or more of RAM.
Lotus Approach 96 for Windows 95 is available as a standalone product, or as part of Lotus SmartSuite 96 Edition for Windows 95. SmartSuite 96 is currently available and includes Approach 96, Freelance Graphics 96, Word Pro 96, 1-2-3 and Organizer. Customers who purchase Lotus Windows 3.1 or OS/2 applications before December 31, 1995, can obtain a free upgrade license via the Lotus Buyers' Assurance Plan. IBM is also offering a special promotion with its new version of DB2 for Windows NT. IBM is bundling Approach 96 for Windows 95 with DB2 for Windows NT through February 1996.
Lotus Development Corp., a subsidiary of IBM Corp., offers high quality software products and support services that reflect the company's unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus' innovative approach is evident in a new class of applications that allows information to be accessed and communicated in ways never before possible, both within and beyond organizational boundaries. The company also provides numerous support services, both from its consulting division and its award-winning 24-hour support center.

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