Microsoft and MERANT DataDirect Enable Java Connectivity to SQL Server

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. and MERANT (NNM: MRNT LSE: MRN) DataDirect today announced the upcoming release of a beta version of the Microsoft® SQL Server™
2000 Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) Driver. This technology, licensed through an agreement with MERANT DataDirect, enables users of the Java and J2EE platforms to integrate with SQL Server 2000. This announcement, made at JDJEdge 2001 International Java Developer Conference Expo, underscores the broad success of SQL Server 2000 in heterogeneous environments as well as Microsoft’s commitment to providing its customers with greater flexibility in data access, management and analysis.

JDBC is the standard application programming interface (API) for accessing data within the Java and J2EE platforms. The Microsoft SQL Server 2000 JDBC Driver is a best-in-class Type 4 JDBC driver that provides highly scalable and reliable connectivity for the enterprise Java environment. MERANT DataDirect has specifically optimized and thoroughly tested the Driver for SQL Server 2000, enabling SQL Server customers to deliver their Java applications to market faster and with greater flexibility and performance.

“The Microsoft SQL Server 2000 JDBC Driver reflects the success of SQL Server 2000 as a data management and analysis tool,”
said Gordon Mangione, vice president of the SQL Server Group at Microsoft.
“As SQL Server 2000 becomes ever more popular, developers of all types want to take advantage of its rich features and scalability. By working with DataDirect, the industry leader in data connectivity components, we are able to offer Java developers the latest technology for accessing SQL Server 2000.”

“We are thrilled to be Microsoft’s choice for providing JDBC capabilities for SQL Server 2000,”
said Eric Egertson, vice president of OEM business development at MERANT DataDirect.
“DataDirect is the leader in data connectivity and has partnered with industry leaders since the inception of Java to bring our customers the most technically advanced Java database connectivity technology.”

The Microsoft SQL Server 2000 JDBC Driver is now in beta testing and will be available from Microsoft at the SQL Server download center at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/downloads/default.asp . A public newsgroup is available for discussion and addressing issues.

The Microsoft SQL Server 2000 JDBC Driver provides JDBC access through any Java-enabled applet, application or application server, and supports JDK versions 1.1.8, 1.2 and 1.3. It delivers high-performance point-to-point and n-tier access to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 across the Internet and intranets, and is supported on the following operating systems: Windows® XP, Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris and Linux.

DataDirect JDBC technologies are completely certified to the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) for the J2EE platform and fully support JDBC API functionality within the J2EE platform including stored procedures, batched queries and universal meta-data. In addition, DataDirect JDBC technologies fully support optional JDBC API functionality, including the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) technology, the Java Transaction Service (JTS) API and connection pooling.

DataDirect and Microsoft have worked closely together since 1991 on the development and evolution of data connectivity standards, including ODBC, OLE DB and ADO. In addition, DataDirect has partnered with Microsoft in various other capacities over the years, providing its data connectivity technology to enable multiple Microsoft products with standards-based data connectivity.

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 is the complete database and analysis offering for rapid delivery of the next generation of scalable e-commerce, line-of-business and data warehousing solutions.

About MERANT DataDirect

MERANT DataDirect is the industry leader in data connectivity, dedicated to the J2EE, JDBC and ODBC standards. Its partnerships with leading software vendors enable DataDirect to offer the industry’s best components for data connectivity. That’s why more than 4.5 million users and hundreds of software vendors choose DataDirect when they need to access data — whether for a single project, a commercial application, or as part of the enterprisewide infrastructure for mission-critical data. DataDirect helps anyone who wants to bring applications to market faster and have them perform without worry — no matter what the standard, platform or database.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

MERANT and DataDirect are trademarks of MERANT.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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