Apple to Offer Oracle Power Objects for Client/Server Application
Development

New Visual Programming Tool Delivers on Apple Commitment to Cross-Platform
Computing

SAN FRANCISCO, California--July 26, 1995--Delivering on its commitment to
cross-platform and client/server computing, Apple Computer, Inc. today
announced the addition of the new Oracle Power Objects product line to its
own suite of tools for application developers. Apple plans to make the
object-oriented development environment available, for both the Apple
Macintosh computer and Windows computers, upon its release next month.

Oracle Power Objects, developed by Oracle Corporation and licensed for
distribution by Apple, is an object-oriented client/server development
tool. Unlike products such as Microsoft Visual Basic, it is designed for
rapid development and deployment of both Macintosh and Windows
applications, supporting a wide range of database management systems
(DBMS). Visual Basic and Visual Basic applications support only the
Microsoft Windows operating system. A version of Oracle Power Objects
supporting IBM's OS/2 operating system is expected from Oracle next year.

"Client/server computing is becoming critical for the business, government,
education and scientific communities, and as a result, there is an urgent
need for robust development tools that can deliver the same application to
both Macintosh and Windows users," said David Nagel, Apple senior vice
president, Worldwide Research and Development. "For the first time, Apple
is offering a robust cross-platform client/server tool to meet that need.
Oracle Power Objects, by combining cross platform and client/server
capabilities with a drag and drop visual programming model, should prove
to be a major boon to Macintosh developers working in client/server
arena."

"Oracle Power Objects represents a significant step forward in
client/server computing, and we are delighted to join forces with Apple in
bringing it to market," said Marc Benioff, Oracle vice president,
Client/Server Systems Division. "The fact that we are bringing out the
Macintosh and Windows versions of the product simultaneously is indicative
of our long-term relationship with Apple and, more importantly, the role
the Macintosh plays in the business community. When you factor in upcoming
support for the OpenDoc component software architecture and full
optimization for Power Macintosh, we expect Oracle Power Objects to
quickly emerge as the optimum solution for client/server computing across
both Macintosh and Windows platforms."

Visual, Drag and Drop Programming for Rapid Development and Deployment
Oracle Power Objects is a visual development tool, meaning that most of
the development effort consists of literally dragging and dropping
onscreen objects that represent application components, such as database
tables. These database objects can be easily created, modified and reused,
a key benefit of object oriented programming. By working with graphic
representations of complex database tables and their interrelationships,
developers are able to rapidly build sophisticated client/server
applications without in-depth knowledge of relational database technology
or the SQL programming language.

The Oracle Basic scripting language is used to add procedural functionality
to the application. Oracle Basic is compatible with the BASIC syntax found
in Microsoft's Visual Basic, to the point that developers familiar with
that product should be able to directly apply their expertise to Oracle
Power Objects. And the applications they create will, unlike Visual Basic
applications, support both Macintosh and Windows. These applications are
compiled into a single executable module for distribution, enhancing
performance and eliminating the need to maintain separate support files
for functionality such as database access.

Oracle Power Objects supports the OLE Custom Extension (OCX) architecture
developed by Microsoft for building reusable application components,
called custom controls, for use in Visual Basic applications. The OCX
architecture is supported within the upcoming Windows `95 operating
system, and is expected to foster the growth of a broad range of custom
controls that can be used within Oracle Power Objects applications.

The Oracle Power Objects product line consists of two unique products, each
available for both Macintosh and Windows. The Oracle Power Objects
Standalone Edition version 1.0 is designed for prototyping client/server
applications without the need to connect to host-based data, or for
delivering applications that run on a single computer with a local
database. The product includes a forms designer; report writer; database
session manager; query-by-form tool; Oracle Basic editor, debugger and
compiler; and a complete standalone local DBMS that is upwardly compatible
with the Oracle DBMS. The DBMS can be distributed with standalone
applications, or used to help prototype client/server applications that
use server-based data when deployed. The Standalone version also works
with Personal Oracle 7, Oracle's single-user DBMS.

Oracle Power Objects Client/Server Edition version 1.0 is a complete system
for delivering full-scale client/server applications. It includes all the
features of the Client/Server Edition detailed above, plus connectivity to
Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, allowing full-scale deployment of
applications accessing host-based data servers.

Upcoming Power Macintosh Optimization and Support for OpenDoc Architecture

The next version of Oracle Power Objects Client/Server Edition is expected
to add support for Microsoft's Open Database Connectivity protocol (ODBC),
which will expand the scope of supported databases to include most
relational and non-relational DBMSs.

The next versions of both Oracle Power Objects Client/Server and Standalone
Editions are slated to add support for IBM's OS/2 operating system.
Additionally, two key Apple technologies are expected to be supported as
well. With OpenDoc support, developers will be able to incorporate the
functionality of available OpenDoc components into their Oracle Power
Objects applications by simply dragging and dropping. Also added in the
same release will be native-mode support for Power Macintosh, bringing the
significant performance increases inherent in that computer to developers
and application users alike.

System Requirements, Pricing and Availability

Oracle Power Objects for Macintosh requires a Macintosh or Power Macintosh
computer, or other Mac OS-based computer with a 68020 or later processor,
Macintosh system software version 7.5 or later, at least 8MB of RAM and at
least 10MB of hard disk space. For Windows, an IBM or Compaq-compatible
computer with a 386 or later processor, Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or
later, at least 8MB of RAM and at least 10MB of hard disk space are
required.

In the United States, the Oracle suggested retail price for both Macintosh
and Windows versions of Oracle Power Objects Client/Server Edition is U.S.
$1995. Oracle's suggested retail price for both versions of the Oracle
Power Objects Standalone Edition is U.S. $395. Pricing outside the United
States varies by country.

Apple plans to make these products available through APDA, Apple's source
for developer tools. Inside the United States, customers may contact APDA
by calling 1-800-282-2732. In Canada, customers may contact APDA by
calling 1-800-637-0029. From other countries, customers may contact APDA
by calling (716) 871-6555. For information on resellers of Apple software
in the United States, customers may call the Apple Reseller Referral Line
at 1-800-538-9696. To find information about Apple products on the
Worldwide Web, please go to http://www.apple.com. Support for Oracle Power
Objects is available directly from Oracle Corporation.

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information
industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy to use personal
computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal
digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple
(NASDAQ:AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products,
technologies and services for the business, education, consumer,
scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.

Apple Computer Inc
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
 
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