DataFlux INTRODUCES NEW dfPower Studio v.4.0

DataFlux Corporation, a SAS Company and a leader in the development of data quality control tools that increase the accuracy and usability of corporate database assets, announced the release of dfPower Studio version 4.0, which is targeted for use by corporate end-users. dfPower Studio provides an entirely point-and-click driven, out-of-the-box software product suite for managing the quality, consistency and usability of corporate data without the need for consultants to install, program or maintain the solutions.DataFlux INTRODUCES NEW dfPower Studio v.4.0

With a user interface that remains the same regardless of the underlying operating system or database platform, dfPower Studio facilitates full end-user customization, enterprise-wide data integration and United States Postal Service (USPS) CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) certification of data sets. Several of DataFlux's existing customers are currently upgrading from earlier versions of dfPower Studio to Version 4.0 including: CorpDNA, MicroMass Communications, and California Commerce Bank. A free trial version of dfPower Studio is available for download at www.dataflux.com/demozone.asp.

DataFlux dfPower Studio is a highly flexible solution that enables users to deal with unique data situations that can't be managed in a fixed application environment. DataFlux enhanced three primary areas, which gives the company a unique position in the market.

• Customization - Users can fully customize all of their data quality and data integration assets including: business rules, data reference libraries, standardization formats, match types, data reference sources, jobs and reports to ensure that the dfPower Studio addresses their specific data requirements.
• Integration - DataFlux has upgraded dfPower Studio's Standardization functionality, which manages inconsistent data, and the Match functionality, which manages duplicate data, to work together using a base asset manager called the Vault, a repository for the business rules and logic. This facilitates standardization across the entire enterprise, regardless of which database or platform is in use.
• USPS CASS-certification - United States Postal Service (USPS) CASS-certificat ion, which provides corrected and verified addresses and augmented geographic information to add value to critical corporate databases. CASS-certified software programs enable companies to receive significant postal discounts and improve mail delivery, which reduces the costs and delays associated with incorrect addresses and undeliverable mail; increase the value of customer data, ensuring better analysis and reporting; and take advantage of other address-based technologies, such as mapping, geocoding and visualizati on.

Rob Deal, vice president of marketing, MicroMass Communications said, "We have been using DataFlux dfPower software for more than a year and have always been pleased with the results. The new dfPower Studio Version 4.0 is a completely re-engineered product that encompasses an integrated set of data quality, data cleansing and data integration components. The new interface is highly intuitive and can be easily understood by any user familiar with Windows. Anyone can use this software - you don't have to be technology savvy to use version 4.0. DataFlux has really pushed the envelope to develop a high-performance data quality management product that even a novice can understand and use, without sacrificing the power required by IT heavyweights."

Bob Moran, research vice president and managing director, Aberdeen Group said, "The growing realization that data is truly one of the most significant assets of a corporation is now putting the spotlight on the complex issues of managing data quality and data integration. Many suppliers' data quality tools require significant consulting-driven customization. In contrast, DataFlux is delivering an out-of-the-box data quality solution that empowers a company to take control of its data quality management in-house and make data quality a systematic part of many initiatives."

Tony Fisher, president, DataFlux said, "From the very beginning, DataFlux products were developed with the idea that achieving a high level of data quality should be possible without a large IT staff or expensive consultants. DataFlux products enable organizations to implement data quality in an affordable and incremental approach. All DataFlux products use the same underlying libraries and business rules, facilitating the use of these products in any application or on any data source."

Pricing & Availability

DataFlux dfPower Studio 4.0 is now available in beta version, with the final version scheduled for release on February 28, 2001. Interested parties should visit the following website for additional information: www.dataflux.com/marketing, keyword: dfPower. Typically, dfPower Studio 4.0 will range in price from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on the size and scope of the implementation and user configurations. Current customers with existing upgrade subscriptions will receive dfPower Studio 4.0 as an upgrade at no extra charge.

About DataFlux Corporation

Founded in 1996, DataFlux is a North Carolina-based software company that provides leading edge, award-winning technology for data cleansing, data augmentation, data consolidation and conversion and data scrubbing. The versatile DataFlux products are designed to significantly improve the accuracy, consistency and usability of an organization's critical data, enhancing the effectiveness of data-driven applications and initiatives such as data warehousing, e-commerce systems, data mining, customer information systems, sales force automation, marketing databases, customer/prospect profiling and list management. DataFlux is a wholly owned subsidiary of SAS Institute, the leader in decision support and data warehousing, providing integrated enterprise information-delivery solutions and e-business solutions. For more on DataFlux, visit: www.dataflux.com.