FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kindle DiGiusto NeXT Software, Inc. 415-780-3781 or Nicole Overson Copithorne & Bellows 415-975-2219 NeXT Ships D'OLE (tm) Release 3.5 and Enterprise Objects Framework (tm) 1.1 for Windows NT NeXT makes inroads to Windows environment through OPENSTEP object model and database access tools REDWOOD CITY-January 15, 1996-NeXT Software, Inc. today announced that it is shipping D'OLE (Distributed OLE) and Enterprise Objects Framework 1.1 for Windows NT, bridging the gap between Windows and UNIX and enabling users to deploy Windows applications enterprise-wide. D'OLE allows developers to leverage their current investment in popular Windows client-side development tools like Visual Basic and PowerBuilder and create distributed applications which can run across both Windows and UNIX.These applications can now scale to the enterprise providing for transparent messaging and interoperability between OPENSTEP(tm) objects PDO (tm), Portable Distributed Objects), and Microsoft OLE objects. Windows Interoperability D'OLE delivers the power of NeXT's OPENSTEP object model to Windows developers providing a tightly integrated path to NeXT's development tools and UNIX. This translates into the following benefits to Windows developers; *Rapid development of distributed applications-bringing industrial strength object software to Windows; *Protection of current investments in Windows applications-enabling the seamless integration of popular Windows tools with NeXT's enterprise solutions; *Scalability across Windows, UNIX and web platforms. "At WorldCom, we are transitioning from our existing proprietary software to a standard software solution," said Gary Frederick, developer in charge of evaluating distributed object technology for WorldCom. "We evaluated NeXT's D'OLE and, as always, NeXT came through-our development team was able to get objects on existing servers talking to Visual Basic in a short period of time. In addition, we tested D'OLE connections with OLE applications running across the network. It just worked." Using D'OLE, OPENSTEP objects can now be deployed across both Windows and UNIX platforms. This operating system independence across a variety of client and server machines guarantees deployment flexibility and independence from hardware and operating system vendors. OPENSTEP objects can be developed and deployed on Windows NT, HP-UX, SunOS, Solaris and Digital UNIX operating systems. With D'OLE, OLE-based applications running on Windows clients can now interact with OPENSTEP business objects running on servers, allowing developers to take advantage of a heterogeneous client/server environment. OLE interoperability is accomplished via D'OLE's transparent support for OLE Automation. With this technology, developers can mix and match NEXTSTEP and OPENSTEP applications with Windows client-side development tools to best meet their computing needs. "D'OLE and Enterprise Objects Framework for Windows NT bridge the gap between OLE, CORBA, UNIX, Windows, and the web," said Avie Tevanian, Vice President of Engineering, NeXT Software, Inc. "With these products, developers can access or create OLE objects that can be distributed on many different platforms. As a result, developers can leverage their current technology investment while scaling their Windows-based applications from the departmental-level to the enterprise and the web." Enterprise Objects Framework for Windows NT Through D'OLE, Windows developers can further augment their applications by incorporating powerful NeXT development tools, such as the Enterprise Objects Framework into their existing computing environment. This makes it possible to develop robust, multi-tier, client/server applications which interoperate with industry-standard relational databases such as Sybase and Oracle. The Enterprise Objects Framework for Windows NT enables developers to construct reusable business objects that combine business logic with persistent data, shielding developers from the semantics of the data structure. Developers can also use D'OLE to integrate their Windows applications with World Wide Web solutions developed using NeXT's WebObjects(tm) development environment for building dynamic server-based web applications. Future releases of the OPENSTEP Object Model will expand support for industry standards through interoperability with CORBA 2.0 objects. This will allow OPENSTEP objects, OLE objects, and CORBA 2.0 objects to all seamlessly interoperate. Pricing and Availability D'OLE and Enterprise Objects Framework are currently shipping for the Windows NT operating system and are both priced at $499 per machine. Those interested in obtaining more information about NeXT's products can access product literature via the World Wide Web at http://www.next.com/ or via NeXTanswers (NeXT's technical support free information retrieval system) at nextanswers@next.com, 415-780-3990 (fax), or ftp.next.com. NeXT Software, Inc. NeXT develops and markets OPENSTEP, the WebObjects product family, and services for building mission critical object-oriented custom applications for deployment across popular operating systems and the World Wide Web. OPENSTEP is the first volume object standard for developing and deploying cross-platform three-tier client/server applications. WebObjects is NeXT's revolutionary database independent development environment for building dynamic server-based Web applications. NeXT is headquartered in Redwood City, California, and has offices in North America, London, Paris, Munich, and Tokyo. For more information please visit NeXT's web site at http://www.next.com. Trademark Info: NeXT, the NeXT logo, OPENSTEP, WebObjects, PDO, Portable Distributed Objects, Enterprise Objects Framework, D'OLE, and NEXTSTEP are trademarks or registered trademarks of NeXT Software, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners. ### =END=