Informix Announces Worldwide Database Support of Linux

Pairing of Informix-SE and Linux Creates High-Performance Application Platform and Improves Manageability, Simplifies Administration

SEATTLE—July 22, 1998—Informix Corporation (NASDAQ: IFMX) the technology leader in enterprise database-powered solutions, today announced worldwide immediate availability of Informix®-SE on Linux. In response to user demand, Informix is providing users and developers the first true enterprise-quality database for Linux. The availability of Informix-SE on Linux strengthens Informix’s commitment to the developer community by providing a choice in operating systems and gives users a high-performance, high-reliability database solution. Linux represents for Informix and to the enterprise computing world a viable, fast, high-quality operating system that offers the reliability of Unix and the price/performance of NT. Supporting the Linux platform delivers new levels of flexibility and portability to database application developers. To help promote Informix-SE on Linux, Informix is offering free development licenses for Informix-SE and ESQL/C to any Linux developer who registers with the company. Informix-SE on Linux was unveiled at the annual Informix Worldwide User Conference held this week in Seattle.

"With this announcement, we’re delivering on the number one request made by the International Informix Users Group and are introducing a whole new generation of developers to Informix products," said Steve Lambright, senior manager, server product marketing at Informix. "Informix-SE is the perfect complement to an operating system that is legendary for its stability, flexibility and accessibility. Informix is providing a low-maintenance, enterprise-quality database solution that can be easily embedded into applications and, like Linux, is a high-performance, highly reliable business solution that is extremely easy to configure and manage."

Informix-SE

A SQL-based database engine for small-to medium-range applications, Informix-SE is the ideal solution for businesses that want the power of SQL without the complex database administration requirements. Informix-SE provides excellent performance, data consistency, client/server capabilities and standards adherence with only minimal need for database administrator (DBA) expertise, making it the idea multiuser database system for small corporations or self-contained departments. With Informix-SE on Linux, Informix is delivering a simple but powerful solution for enterprises that are using the cost-effective Linux operating system, from the well-established Linux strongholds of educational and research institutions and Internet service providers to the growing user base in mainstream enterprise.

"Caldera applauds Informix's vision in supporting the Linux platform, the only viable alternative to NT," said Ransom Love, general manager of Caldera's Linux Division. "Caldera's commercial Linux services and products, combined with Informix's leading-edge database technology, will provide our business customers and resellers with powerful and complete solutions."

"Informix’s announcement affirms to their users that Linux is a viable, high-quality operating system with an Open Source concept that offers flexibility to meet their needs," said James Gray, CEO of S.u.S.E. "Informix-SE on Linux will enable users in small development environments with minimal MIS support to have all the stability, security and scalability they demand at a significantly more affordable price."

Beginning today, Linux application developers will be able to download a free developers kit that includes Informix SE; ESQL/C for Linux, Informix's SQL toolkit; and I-Connect, the runtime version of ESQL/C. Developers will find information on the Informix Linux developers program and the free developers download on the Informix Developers Network at www.informix.com/idn. Informix SE and ESQL/C on Linux is immediately available worldwide supporting commercially available versions of Linux from Caldera and S.u.S.E. on the Intel platform. Informix and Red Hat Software are committed to working together to ensure a future release of Informix SE and ESQL/C support Red Hat Linux and the multi-threaded Glibc libraries.

About Informix

Informix Corporation, the world's database technology leader based in Menlo Park, California, provides innovative database products that assist the world's major corporations attain competitive advantage. Informix is widely recognized as the technology leader for corporate computing environments ranging from small workgroups to very large parallel processing applications. Informix's database server, application development tools, superior customer service, and strong partnerships enable the company to be at the forefront of major information technology solution areas including data warehousing, high performance OLTP, and Web/content management. For more information, contact the sales office nearest you or visit our Web site at www.informix.com.

Editorial Contact:
Roxanne Verduzco
rverduzco@wmc.com
650-638-3400
Wilson McHenry Company