For Immediate Release

Barry & Associates Announces the Start of the 1997 Online Database Derby

Web event creates the first interactive exhibit hall for the database
industry on the Internet

Burnsville, Minnesota — September 12, 1997 — Barry & Associates today
announced the start of the first phase of the 1997 Online Database Derby.
The Derby is the first Internet event of its type for the database
industry. The Derby, which features database vendors developing an assigned
application, is fashioned after a trade show with a development event, an
exhibit hall, and ways to win prizes. All Derby activity, however, occurs
on the Internet.

The Online Database Derby has been organized by Doug Barry of Barry &
Associates, with sponsorship from IDX Systems Corporation, developer of the
Derby database, Distributed Object Computing Magazine and Database
Programming and Design.

According to Doug Barry, “The database market is full of hype and
confusion. The Online Database Derby is designed to cut through all of
that. It will give people an opportunity to see database management
products in action on complex data. Based on their own experiences in a
real-time, multi-user environment, they can draw their own conclusions
about these products.”

The Online Database Derby can be visited at
http://www.odbmsfacts.com/derby/. The Derby works as follows:

In the application development phase of the Derby, which began on September
8, six participant companies received packages containing development
assignments. The application instructions are also posted at the Derby web
site so everyone can see what the participants are working on. Each
participant will develop the application, using their own people, equipment
and products. In this phase, the participants will each develop the same
database and database applications. It is anticipated that all participants
will have completed development within approximately one week. Once
participants have completed the development, their source code and data
definitions used will be posted in the Participant Hall at the Derby web
site.

In the availability test phase of the Derby, scheduled to begin on
September 29, the database and database applications developed by the
vendor companies will be available for visitors to use and test on a 24
hour basis for 21 days. A visitor can use each application as many times as
desired at any of the participant web sites throughout the 21 days. This
allows every site visitor to use the applications in a real-time, multiple
user situation. The participants have been encouraged to enhance the
application in ways that demonstrate the capabilities of their products.
This allows visitors to make comparisons. The availability and relative
performance of four queries over the 21-day period will be posted daily in
the Availability Test Data page on the Derby web site.

The enhancement test phase of the Derby starts October 20. It provides
every visitor a chance to see the participant’s approach to a change in the
definitions of the Derby database. The enhancement test will simulate a
real-world enhancement to the original development assignment. Source code
and data definitions for the enhancement will be posted in the Participant
Hall on the Derby web site. It is anticipated that the participants will
complete the enhancement test in a week’s time.

The custom development phase of the Derby, which begins on October 27,
provides each participant an opportunity to further customize the Derby
database and application. This customization may include scaling the size
of the database, allowing updates or adding additional classes with new
screens.

Throughout the Derby, data will be provided at the Derby web site which
allows visitors to compare the Derby participants on variables that are
important to them. In the end, there will be two classes of Participants —
those that complete all aspects of the Derby (including non-stop
availability for 21 days) and those that do not. Winners’ Circle awards
will be given to those who have completed all aspects of the Derby.

More Derby Information
More information can be found on the Derby web site at
http://www.odbmsfacts.com/derby/. The site contains details on the Derby,
frequently asked questions, the application instructions, a Participant
Hall for the Derby participants, and a Marketplace section for related
products and services.

About Barry & Associates, Inc.
Barry & Associates provides facts on object database, object-relational
database, object-manager, and object-relational mapping products. They do
this through consulting, publishing and education. Founded by Doug Barry in
1992, the firm is particularly focused on strategic decision making about
these kinds of products. Contact Barry & Associates by phone at
612-892-6113, fax at 612-397-7203, or visit its WWW site at
http://www.odbmsfacts.com.

Contact:
Douglas K. Barry
Principal, Barry & Associates, Inc.
14041 Burnhaven Drive, Suite 103
Burnsville, MN 55337
voice: +1-612-892-6113, fax: +1-612-397-7203
dkbarry@odbmsfacts.com, http://www.odbmsfacts.com