Mercator, New Graphical Data Mapping Tool from TSI International, Now
Shipping

Wilton, CT, January 18, 1994. . . TSI International today announced
availability of Release 1.0 of Mercator, the new graphical tool for
transforming or "mapping" data from one form to another. Following
successful field testing worldwide, Mercator becomes an important new
entrant in a new segment of the rapidly growing market known as
"middleware", software which enables seamless interaction between
applications. Mercator is expected to play a major role in business
solutions where mapping of data structures is required, regardless of
computing environment or data complexity.

Of particular importance is the use of Mercator for integration of complex
data structures such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) with business
applications. With Mercator, inbound and outbound EDI transactions can be
mapped to user file structures in a fraction of the time required with
existing technology. Mercator is the first data mapping tool to eliminate
entirely the need for user programming in the conversion process.
With Mercator, data structures and user-defined transformations, called
maps, are described graphically using Microsoft Windows. Once defined,
maps may be executed whenever and wherever needed. Mercator provides a
high-performance run-time environment for map execution, making it an
ideal solution for data conversions of any type or complexity.

Mercator is based on a new concept in data mapping using objects and
embedded rules to define both data structures and maps. Mercator is the
first mapping product to take advantage of the graphical environment
provided by Windows. Using a mouse, maps are created graphically using a
"drag and drop" approach. Any object, such as an individual data field or
an entire record, can be mapped by simply dragging it from the source
structure and dropping it on the target.

In an EDI context, Mercator can be used to reformat data to meet any
processing requirement. Inbound EDI data can be mapped to single or
multiple application formats. Outbound data from any source can be mapped
to multiple EDI formats. This provides what is known as "many to one",
"one to many", and "many to many" mappings which are essential for tight
integration of EDI with user applications. Mappings can also be made from
EDI to EDI, or from application to application.

"We believe Mercator will become an important enabling technology, not only
within the EDI market, but in any market where data needs to be moved
electronically," noted Connie Galley, TSI President. "For EDI users,
Mercator solves what has been, until now, an unsolved problem--the mapping
of EDI data without having to resort to programming. Beyond that, the
range of potential applications is enormous. Many of our early customers
are putting Mercator to some very creative uses. These include using
Mercator as a universal "data bridge" between applications, creating a
single electronic form for a work-flow system and developing application
interfaces to older, proprietary, non-EDI formats" .

Mercator is implemented under Windows 3.1 using client/server architecture.
Maps are created in client mode and are executed in server mode. Today,
both client and server operate under Windows. By end of 1Q94, map
execution will occur on other platforms in addition to Windows. Pricing
for the Windows-only version of Mercator is $2,500.

TSI International is a leading provider of software for the management of
production data. Its products are installed in over 6,000 sites worldwide,
in all industries and in organizations of all sizes. TSI's Trading Partner
family of EDI products includes both state-of-the-art tools and packaged
solutions for both mainframe (MVS, VSE) and PC (Windows) platforms.

TSI International
45 Danbury Rd, Wilton, CT 06897
203-761-8600,  fax 203-762-9677

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