ACADEMIA

ARMONK, NY -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) today completed its $1 billion acquisition of the database assets of Informix(R) Corporation, which doubles the size of IBM's distributed database business. At sites around the world, IBM is welcoming nearly 2,500 skilled data employees from Informix to its ranks, while accelerating plans to market and sell an expanded data management product portfolio. The acquisition was completed just 10 weeks after it was announced on April 24, 2001. "IBM and Informix are impressive as separate entities, and together, the newly formed Data Management team will continue to deliver the most innovative technologies at the best value to customers," said Janet Perna, general manager, IBM Data Management Solutions. "IBM is focused on setting the standard for the next-generation e-business solutions." IBM intends to incorporate select Informix technologies into future versions of DB2(a) Universal Database, which will remain IBM's flagship database product. Now that the acquisition is complete, IBM intends to immediately: -- integrate Informix database business operations and personnel into the existing IBM Software data management division led by General Manager Janet Perna. -- market and sell Informix's database products worldwide through a fully integrated IBM and Informix sales force. -- maintain existing relationships with Informix customers and business partners, including support for and updating of current Informix products. Informix Software has been a leading provider of database management systems for data warehousing, business intelligence and transaction processing. With an installed base of more than 100,000 customers worldwide, Informix delivered high-performance database systems in retail, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, media and publishing, telecommunications and other businesses. Key Informix customers include Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, Sears and Sabre. As a consequence of the acquisition, Informix Corporation shareholders will rename their company Ascential(b) Software Corporation. For further information visit www.ibm.com