Novo Nordisk's BI Platform to Support 14,000 Employees

Ascential Software, a leading provider of Information Asset Management solutions, announced that Novo Nordisk has selected Ascential DataStage for use along with mySAP Business Intelligence (mySAP BI), consolidating the Danish pharmaceutical company's worldwide data resources into a single warehouse. The solution will combine old and new financial data and provide Novo Nordisk's managers with complete company-wide information for more informed business decisions.

By adding Ascential DataStage to its existing SAP Business Information Warehouse (SAP BW) environment, Novo Nordisk plans to build a data warehouse that draws on data from virtually any source within the company. The initial task is to convert and migrate over 40 gigabytes of Novo Nordisk's information, a project that is scheduled to be complete by June 2001. Ultimately, the company will close its mainframe and operate a single enterprise data warehouse.

Ascential and SAP announced a worldwide reseller agreement on April 30, 2001 through which SAP and its newly-announced subsidiary, SAP Portals, will resell Ascential DataStage as the data integration platform for mySAP Business Intelligence customers. Ascential DataStage simplifies the loading and extracting of non-SAP R/3 data and meta data sources in the SAP BW environment, increasing efficiency and maximizing the value of enterprise information.

"With 14,000 employees supporting products all over the world, we needed to be able to consolidate our data worldwide rather than have it scattered across the company," said Henrik Deleuran Muller, manager, data warehouse, Novo Nordisk. "Ascential DataStage allows us to transfer historical data from our old warehouse and integrate it into our current system, providing us with a complete view of our enterprise data and enabling us to make more informed business decisions. The whole process improves speed of access, productivity and efficiency across our business."

"The number of sources from which data is derived has grown enormously over the past few years. From mainframe to clickstream data, enterprises need a system that organizes, prioritizes and accesses all information gathered daily," said Mike Wipperfeld, vice president, marketing, Ascential Software. "Because of the rapid speed at which companies are moving, businesses are acquiring information faster and faster. They need to invest in a plan to keep control of available data, so it becomes an asset, rather than a liability."

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company. With the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems, Novo Nordisk is the world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as coagulation disorders, growth disorders and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society.

About Ascential Software

Ascential Software Inc is a leading provider of Information Asset Management solutions to the Global 2000. Customers use Ascential products to turn vast amounts of disparate, unrefined data into reusable information assets that drive business success. Ascential's unique framework for Information Asset Management enables customers to easily collect, validate, organize, administer and deliver information assets to realize more value from their enterprise data, reduce costs and increase profitability. Headquartered in Westboro, Mass., Ascential has offices worldwide and supports more than 1,830 customers in such industries as telecommunications, insurance, financial services, healthcare, media/entertainment and retail. Ascential is an independent operating company of Informix Corporation and can be found on the Web at www.ascentialsoftware.com.

Contact Ascential Software Barbara Petrocelli, 508-366-3888 x3009, barbara.petrocelli@ascentialsoftware.com.