POWERSOFT ANNOUNCES POWERBUILDER DESKTOP

Desktop Version Offers First True Client/Server Solution for PC and
Xbase-Class Developers

BURLINGTON, Mass., Feb. 14, 1994 -- Powersoft Corporation today announced a
desktop version of PowerBuilder, the award-winning client/server
application development tool. PowerBuilder Desktop further extends the
scalable Powersoft product line, addressing the needs of desktop
developers moving to client/server computing. PowerBuilder Desktop allows
access to standalone and server versions of the WATCOM SQL relational
database, and to existing desktop-class databases and files. Access to
broader team development and enterprise database connectivity is available
through add-on products. This announcement underscores Powersoft's
intention to deliver client/server products for all levels of developers
and users, based on the scalable PowerBuilder common object engine.

In September 1993, Powersoft introduced two client/server end user tools
built on the PowerBuilder engine: PowerViewer and PowerMaker. PowerBuilder
Desktop is a continuation of Powersoft's strategy to accelerate the move
of organizations and developers to client/server, addressing the need for
true client/server solutions for desktop programming. Powersoft's scalable
product line and pricing structure enable customers to implement
client/server at the most appropriate level within the organization,
without restricting the ability to expand as requirements evolve.
Powersoft is offering PowerBuilder Desktop for the introductory price of
$249* through May 31, 1994.

"An important part of the scalability story is the huge demand for
client/server functionality on the desktop," said David Litwack, president
of Powersoft. "PowerBuilder Desktop gives PC and Xbase-class developers
full client/server capabilities at a desktop price, allowing access to
traditional standalone and networked desktop databases, as well as a true
client/server database -- WATCOM SQL. And with PowerBuilder's ability to
scale up according to organizational needs, there are no limits in
application functionality, database size or location, or choice of
specific DBMS."

Rich Finkelstein, president of Performance Computing, said, "To date, the
market has had two options for implementing networked database
applications. Developers could use Xbase products on the network to
implement economical systems, but lose the benefits of client/server such
as robust database integrity, increased performance, relational access,
and reduced network traffic. Or they could implement a true client/server
system with its substantially higher development and personnel costs and
more complex administration. Powersoft's strategy will provide the first
true client/server system that facilitates easy scalability from the
desktop to truly robust client/server environments. This will appeal to
many smaller organizations and developers who are seeking alternatives to
the complexity of current client/server database products."

"Other desktop development products are limited in connectivity, and hence
scalability," said Doug Miller, director of Powersoft's Desktop Business
Unit. "With PowerBuilder Desktop, you can develop for WATCOM SQL on the
desktop and then scale it seamlessly to server versions of WATCOM SQL, or
to any server database supported by PowerBuilder Enterprise, including
Sybase, Oracle, DB2, or Informix."

Accelerating the Transition to Client/Server

The release of PowerBuilder Desktop is part of Powersoft's Accelerate '94
initiative, designed to speed the transition to client/server for
organizations as well as developers. Powersoft and its WATCOM subsidiary
also announced today as part of Accelerate '94:

* New advanced WATCOM SQL database servers for NetWare, OS/2 and Windows
NT. These new server-based products deliver the benefits of true
client/server database architecture, as well as openness, scalability,
cost-effectiveness and simplified administration and deployment. (See
related WATCOM release.)

* A new pricing strategy designed to eliminate barriers to entry to
client/server. (See related pricing release.)
Patty Passadori, manager of finance client/server systems at Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc., said, "Powersoft has provided a competitively priced tool
that allows application development at the desktop level. This will enable
us to work more closely with our developers in scaling a desktop
application into an enterprise development effort."

Robust Functionality on the Desktop

PowerBuilder Desktop provides all of the same robust client/server
functionality as PowerBuilder Enterprise, with connectivity restricted to
its native WATCOM SQL and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) access to
desktop databases. This includes a Database Painter for defining tables,
columns, and indexes, and a built-in data dictionary for defining
validation rules, display formats, and many other aspects of data
behavior. PowerBuilder offers SQL Smart database access through its unique
DataWindow control, which isolates the developer from complex database
programming. Developers can build applications that exploit Windows
functionality? including advanced features such as dynamic data exchange
(DDE), object linking and embedding (OLE), dynamic link libraries (DLL),
and support for Visual Basic (VBX) controls. PowerBuilder Desktop also
provides the same object-oriented features -- encapsulation, inheritance,
polymorphism, and object/class libraries -- that are in PowerBuilder
Enterprise.

PowerBuilder Desktop will be available on March 1, 1994 through Powersoft's
PowerChannel Advantage distribution program, at the introductory price of
$249. After May 31, 1994, PowerBuilder Desktop will be available at the
suggested retail price of $695. In addition to the WATCOM SQL standalone
engine, PowerBuilder Desktop allows access to desktop-class databases and
files, such as dBASE, Paradox, and FoxPro. PowerBuilder Desktop also
includes the new Powersoft Infobase CD-ROM containing PowerBuilder
documentation, technical product information, product tips and
techniques.

PowerBuilder Desktop developers who want to scale up through the enterprise
can purchase the PowerBuilder Team/ODBC Kit (providing team development
features and server database access through ODBC), and the PowerBuilder
Enhanced Database Kit (providing access to Powersoft's high-performance
native drivers for popular server databases). Customers who are ready to
implement enterprise-wide client/server immediately can choose to obtain
all of the functionality in these kits in one purchase with PowerBuilder
Enterprise. (See related pricing release.)

Powersoft Client/Server Training Workshops

Next month, Powersoft will begin a series of international client/server
training workshops as part of the Accelerate '94 initiative. In 56 cities
worldwide, Powersoft will launch "Getting to Client/Server," a series of
one-day, interactive training sessions designed to introduce desktop
developers to the skills needed to build client/server applications. In
addition to a full day of hands-on training, Powersoft will give attendees
a copy of PowerBuilder Desktop, including the standalone WATCOM SQL
database, enabling programmers to develop client/server applications out
of the box. Attendees will receive the training, hands-on experience, and
standalone development environment for a tuition fee of $399.

Powersoft Corp. (NASDAQ:PWRS) develops and markets The Powersoft Enterprise
Series, which includes PowerBuilder Enterprise, PowerBuilder Desktop,
PowerMaker and PowerViewer. The Powersoft Enterprise Series is the first
family of scalable tools that meets the enterprise-wide application
development and data access needs of professional developers and end
users. PowerBuilder Enterprise, PowerBuilder Desktop and PowerMaker
incorporate WATCOM's high-performance database engine, WATCOM SQL, which
allows developers to build applications using a standalone database. Based
in Waterloo, Ontario, Powersoft's WATCOM wholly-owned subsidiary is a
leading provider of high-performance application development tools,
including the WATCOM C/C++ multiplatform optimizing compilers, for 16- and
32-bit Intel-based PCs. Headquartered in Burlington, Mass., Powersoft
products are used at more than 3,500 customer sites for the development
and deployment of client/server applications.

* All prices quoted are U.S.

Powersoft Corp, 70 Blanchard Rd, Burlington, MA 01803
617-229-2200    FAX 617-273-2540

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