LOTUS ANNOUNCES INTEGRATION OF PRODUCTS WITH SAP R/3

RELATIONSHIP INCLUDES PRODUCT INTEGRATION AND SUPPORT

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 22, 1996 -- Lotus Development Corp. today announced the
Lotus Connection for SAP R/3, which integrates Lotus products with SAP R/3
client/server enterprise business solutions. The Lotus Connection for SAP
R/3 allows users of the R/3 system to use Lotus' desktop and
communications applications to analyze, enhance and distribute SAP report
data. This integration is part of a broader relationship between Lotus and
SAP, that includes a product integration and a technical support
agreement.

SAP is the leading supplier of integrated client/server applications for
financials, cost accounting, asset management, human resource management,
sales and distribution, and product planning, as well as industry specific
add-on modules developed by SAP and their partners.

The Lotus Connection for SAP R/3 provides a link for users of all SAP
applications to access Lotus products. This integration will allow SAP
users to analyze, enhance and distribute SAP report data using Lotus'
award winning desktop applications, as well as Lotus Notes. Examples
include using Lotus 1-2-3 for financial analysis, Lotus Ami Pro or Lotus
Word Pro to create mail merged letters, Lotus Approach for querying and
reporting, Lotus Freelance Graphics for presentations and Lotus Notes for
distribution of SAP data throughout organizations.

"Today's organizations need easy ways to communicate, collaborate and
coordinate activities within teams," said Michael D. Zisman, executive
vice-president and CEO, Lotus Development Corp. "This new interface links
critical business information stored in SAP applications with the input
and ideas generated within these teams using Lotus desktop applications
and Lotus Notes. This integration will provide enhanced value to the IT
infrastructure of our mutual customers."

The Lotus Connection for SAP R/3 includes several functions that allow
users of Lotus products to integrate easily SAP data using features with
which they are familiar. For example, a number of additional features have
been developed specifically for Lotus 1-2-3 that simplify the analysis of
SAP structured data. These include dynamic viewing, outlining, and
charting, as well as the ability to create spreadsheet templates into
which SAP data can be loaded, further streamlining the creation of
standard spreadsheet reports. In addition, many Lotus Business Partners
and customers are already integrating Notes and SAP on an individual
project basis using the Notes API and the SAP desktop integration API.

"SAP is very pleased to be able to offer our customers the benefits of
integration with Lotus products," said Paul Wahl, executive vice-president
for Marketing and Basis Development, SAP. "The Lotus SmartSuite
applications make it possible to analyze and present SAP data more
powerfully. This valuable information can be integrated more effectively
into corporate communication decision making. This partnership with Lotus,
our mutual commitment to technical support and joint technology
development are a great step forward for both our companies."

"The Lotus Connection for SAP R/3 will allow ICI businesses using R/3 to
integrate traditional transaction-based information with unstructured
information," said David Taylor, Senior Consultant, IS Strategy Group, ICI
Americas. "Integrating their business information through this interface
allows them to respond quickly to changing business requirements."

RELATIONSHIP INCLUDES PRODUCT INTEGRATION AND SUPPORT

In conjunction with this product integration agreement, Lotus and SAP are
committed to providing the high level of support that customers expect
when implementing Lotus products in mission-critical environments. To
support customers on a 24-hour by seven-day basis, SAP has established a
network of service centers. Customers will be able to call one hotline
number to get support for the Lotus Connection for SAP R/3. First line
technical support for all customer solutions will be provided through
SAP's hotline and/or the SAP Business Partners Hotline. Lotus will provide
backup support for the integration software through dedicated Lotus
support resources that will work as an integrated part of SAP's support
organization located at SAP headquarters in Walldorf, Germany.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Lotus Connection for SAP R/3 is being distributed free of charge as an
integrated feature along with R/3 software starting with R/3 Version 2.2H
or 3.0C. These versions will be available in the first quarter of 1996.
The Lotus Connection for SAP R/3 will be available simultaneously in
English, International English, Japanese, French, Italian, German and
Spanish.

For more information about the Lotus Connection for SAP R/3 contact Lotus
at 1-800-343-5414, in Canada at 1-800-GO-LOTUS or outside North America,
contact your local Lotus office.

SmartSuite 96 Edition for Windows 95 and SmartSuite 4.0 for Windows 3.1
offer users a complete suite of desktop applications for those who work
independently or collaborate in teams. SmartSuite 96 comprises completely
rearchitected 32-bit versions of the Word Pro 96 word processor, Freelance
Graphics 96 presentation graphics application, Approach 96 database and
SmartCenter 96 suite command center, as well as updated versions of the
1-2-3 spreadsheet, Organizer personal and group scheduler, and ScreenCam
multimedia tool for creating audio/visual presentations. SmartSuite 4.0
for Windows 3.1 includes the Word Pro 96 word processor, Freelance
Graphics 2.1 presentation graphics application, 1-2-3 spreadsheet,
Approach 3.0 database, Organizer 2.1 personal and group scheduler, and
ScreenCam 2.0 multimedia tool. Lotus' best-of-breed desktop applications
are defined by enhanced team computing features, tight integration with
the Internet and increased programmability capabilities.

Lotus Notes is the leading client-server platform for developing and
deploying strategic groupware applications that help organizations
communicate, collaborate and coordinate strategic business processes
within and beyond their organizational boundaries to achieve improved
business results. More than 8,000 companies and 4.5 million people use
Notes to improve key business processes such as customer service, sales
and account management, and product development. Lotus Notes supports all
major operating systems including IBM OS/2 Warp, Apple Mac OS, UNIX
platforms including IBM AIX, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, and SCO OpenServer, and
Microsoft Windows and Windows NT. Notes is also available as a NetWare
loadable module for the Novell environment.

Lotus Development Corp., a wholly-owned 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.

EDITOR'S NOTE: All Lotus news releases are available on the Internet, via
the Lotus Development Corp. Home Page at http://www.Lotus.com. The Lotus
Home Page is an easy way to find information about Lotus and its business
partners' products and services.

A copy of this release and other company information is also available via
fax by dialing 1-800-57-LOTUS within the U.S. and Canada or 201-946-2336
outside the U.S. and Canada. Questions concerning the service should be
directed to Lotus' corporate communications department at 617-693-5625.

All prices and terms for the US only.
 
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