Design Data Systems Announces Macintosh Version of Client/Server Apps

Oracle partner targets Systems Integrators and Professional Services
markets with Macintosh release

LARGO, FL (May 1, 1996) -- Design Data Systems Corp., a provider of Client,
Server Financial Applications for Oracle, announced the availability of
its Accounting and Distribution Applications for the Power Macintosh
platform. The new version is scheduled for availability second quarter
1996. The conversion of DDS applications to the Mac is an effort by Design
Data to capture the Professional Services and System Integrator market
with its Project Management System and its latest release - Work Order
Management. The release will mark the first Oracle-based accounting system
for the Macintosh platform using Oracle's Developer 2000 product suite. 

"We are eager to position Design Data's business applications in the Mac
market," said Chuck Rogers, Accounting Application Expert for Apple
Computer. "The decision by DDS to release its applications on the Mac
platform is strategically focused. There are many users seeking
Oracle-based accounting and project management software in a client/server
Macintosh environment." 

The new version will feature native Macintosh functions, including scroll
bars, icons, pull-dow-n menus, windows and mouse control. Design Data is
also working closely with Oracle to web-enable DDS applications for the
Mac, a feature scheduled in a later release. The Mac version will be
available for the Power PC initially. Oracle is scheduled to port to the
68000 platform by late summer 1996. 

The move to Macintosh allows Design Data to capture some of the Apple
Computer market. Since its release in 1984, the Macintosh has set the
standard for ease-of-use and plug-in-play. Apple is the third largest
personal computer vendor to business and government in the world,
according to research by Dataquest. To date, Apple has installed more than
3 million Power Mac systems around the world, including many to
professional service firms and graphical design firms -- all of which bill
out for their time. DDS hopes to capitalize on this market with its
Project Accounting, Project Scheduling and Work Order Management modules,
all of which focus on record keeping for time and expenses, invoicing,
estimating and budgeting of projects and jobs. 

Design Data's Macintosh version is designed to provide users running in
Macintosh or in a mixed environment, such as Windows and Mac, the ability
to run Design Data's Client/Server applications simultaneously on both
platforms. 

"We are speaking with several Macintosh shops which are running with Macs
on 75% of their client machines and Windows on the other 25%," said Peter
Falina, Account Manager for Design Data. 

"Many of them are considering the AlphaServer as a server solution because
it supports NT, UNIX and VMS," he added. Design Data recently partnered
with Digital Corp. to recommend Digital's AlphaServer line as a preferred
platform for running the DDS Client/Server Applications. 

According to benchmarks run at DDS headquarters in Tampa Bay, Fla., DDS and
Oracle found that the performance of the full suite of DDS Client/Server
Applications ran uninterrupted on the Mac. It also allowed users to
basically compile and run the DDS applications for the Macintosh without
altering source code, maintaining the original baseline version of the
source. 

"I'm impressed from the technical side. Oracle and Design Data have done an
excellent job in facilitating the move to the Macintosh environment," said
Jeff Croft, Vice President of Information Systems for Design Data. 

"We have had a handful of clients who have been waiting up to eight months
for this release," he added. "Using Oracle's Developer 2000, Design Data
is able to offer this release without creating a maintenance nightmare." 

Availability, Pricing and System Requirements

The Macintosh version is expected to be available by June 1996. The system
will be available first for Macintosh Power PCs and will later be released
for the Macintosh 68000 series. Pricing starts at $14,000 and varies,
depending on the number of users and modules purchased. 

About Apple Computer/Macintosh

Apple is an $11-billion provider of personal computers and related
software. The Macintosh operating system is an acknowledged industry
leader in ease-of-use, plug-and-play and a favorite for sophisticated
desktop users. The latest release of Mac OS is System 7.5. In the coming
years, Apple is planning to release Mac OS featuring a new user interface
that conforms even more to the way people work, with improved
speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies, "agents" that can
anticipate users' needs and learn from their work habits. 

About Design Data Systems

Headquartered in Tampa Bay, Fla., Design Data Systems Corp. specializes in
Client Server business Applications for Oracle. Design Data, founded in
1988, is recognized as one of the Top 100 high-tech companies in the
country and offers a full suite of applications, including Financials,
Distribution, Project Management and Sales Force Automation modules. 

The company's product line is currently the only production suite of
client/server Accounting and Distribution software using Oracle's
Developer 2000 product. 

Design Data licenses its product through its Tampa Bay headquarters and
regional offices in San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago and New York. The
product is also available through authorized DDS resellers. 

Michael A. Piotrowski
Design Data Systems
813-539-1077, x270
Email: 70650.1112@compuserve.com
http://www.designdatasys.com
 
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