Lotus Announces Lotus Notes ODBC Driver for Windows

Free Driver Enables Any ODBC Windows Application to Access Notes-based
Information

NEW YORK, June 28, 1994 -- Lotus Development Corp. today announced a SQL
language interface to Lotus Notes, the Lotus Notes ODBC Driver for Windows
(NotesSQL). NotesSQL is designed to allow users of ODBC (Open Database
Connectivity)-compliant Windows applications to access, query, update and
report on information stored in Lotus Notes. NotesSQL was developed by
Lotus to provide an ANSI SQL link between Notes, corporate database
applications, and desktop productivity tools.

Notes is the leading industry client/server platform for developing and
deploying groupware applications. ODBC is a de facto industry standard for
Windows drivers that allows ODBC-compliant applications to connect to
ODBC-compliant databases. ODBC was developed by Microsoft and is based on
the SQL Access Group's emerging call level interface (CLI) specification.

NotesSQL, available as a free driver, significantly extends the reach and
power of Notes by providing access to local and server-based Notes
databases from ad-hoc query and reporting tools and other ODBC-compliant
desktop applications. Notes customers who use ODBC applications for ad hoc
query and reporting will benefit because they can use familiar
applications, including Lotus 1-2-3 and Lotus Approach, as well as Lotus
Business Partner products, to access information stored in Notes. For
example, using Lotus Approach and NotesSQL, customers can create
sophisticated reports -- complete with groupings and calculations -- as
well as intelligent forms, mailing labels and crosstabs, using data that
is captured and stored in Lotus Notes.

NotesSQL also provides application developers and systems integrators with
a new way to integrate Notes data with SQL-based corporate data stores.
Applications can be built to access both Notes and DBMS data with leading
SQL-based application development tools, providing an alternative to
lower-level C-API programming for accessing data stored in Notes. While
NotesSQL does not change the fundamental architecture of Notes into a
relational DBMS, Notes appears as another back end data source to users of
these tools.

"NotesSQL represents another significant milestone in our commitment to
embrace industry and de facto standards that provide open access to
Notes," said Jeff Papows, vice-president of the Notes Product Division.
"We think users will be pleased with the ability to now choose from a wide
range of front end tools for reporting, charting and application
development using Notes-based information."

Pat Osborne, senior systems analyst at Paramount Pictures, commented,
"Notes is ideal for tracking and managing unstructured data, such as
customer information, while other
applications are more suitable for producing sophisticated reports and
sales forecasts. NotesSQL brings these two environments together and
allows us to choose our own front-end applications."

NotesSQL is another addition to Lotus' family of RDBMS extensions. Lotus
currently is shipping DataLens drivers for Notes and 1-2-3, which allow
users to access structured databases using lookup formulas from Notes or
1-2-3. Lotus also has begun shipments of Lotus Notes ViP for Windows, a
Windows visual programming environment that extends Notes' application
development environment.

Lotus is working with more than 4,200 Business Partners including
Powersoft, Gupta and Trinzic to bring robust data access and integration
solutions to users. Powersoft is shipping PowerBuilder Library for Lotus
Notes, a client/server development tool to integrate unstructured Notes
information with structured relational data. Gupta is delivering a common
interface for access to SQL and Notes data using Gupta SQLWindows
applications. Trinzic is shipping InfoPump, a data routing and
synchronization solution which connects server databases with Notes, to a
wide range of customer sites, including Bankers Trust and Corporate
Software.

System Requirements and Availability

NotesSQL requires Lotus Notes Release 3.x, Windows Version 3.1 and an
ODBC-compliant application.

NotesSQL is shipping with Lotus Forms as well as the next releases of Lotus
1-2-3 for Windows, Lotus Approach, and DataLens for Windows. The driver is
available immediately at no charge. Customers can download NotesSQL from
CompuServe or Lotus KnowledgeBase. For more information, call Lotus at
1-800-346-1305.

NotesSQL will also be available on the new Lotus Toolkit Collection CD.
Additionally, the NotesSQL Starter Kit is available to Notes developers by
calling 1-800-DEV-RELS.

Lotus Notes is the industry standard client-server platform for developing
and deploying groupware applications. It allows people to access, track,
share and organize information in ways never before possible, even if they
are only occasionally connected to a network. Since its introduction,
nearly 3,200 companies and more than 750,000 people are using Notes to
improve business processes, including customer service, sales and account
management, and product development.

Lotus Development Corp. (NASDAQ: LOTS), founded in 1982, 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 now markets its products in
more than 80 countries worldwide and provides numerous support services,
both from its consulting division and its award-winning 24-hour support
center.

Lotus Development Corp
55 Cambridge Parkway
Cambridge, MA 02142
617-577-8500

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