ARDENT SOFTWARE LAUNCHES METACONNECT COOPERATIVE, ENTERPRISE-WIDE META DATA INTEGRATION PROGRAM

Ardent Software, Inc. has announced the MetaConnect Cooperative, a breakthrough meta data integration program designed to allow warehouse tools to share meta data across the enterprise. Through this cooperative, Ardent is developing MetaBrokers -- direct interfaces with leading software tools -- for release early in the first quarter of 1999.

Ardent's MetaBrokers enable end-users to see and understand meta data lineage and the business rules that apply to warehoused data. With the cooperation of MetaConnect participants, Ardent's meta data integration solution will enhance the value and effectiveness of the entire data warehouse. MetaConnect partners include BMC, Brio Technology, Business Objects, Cognos, Embarcadero Technologies, Information Advantage, Informix, Seagate Software and Whitelight Systems.

"With the MetaConnect Cooperative, Ardent is off-loading integration responsibility from warehouse tool vendors by writing the tool integration code ourselves. In doing so, we are delivering a complete and tightly integrated solution that will allow direct meta data sharing between our warehouse tool, DataStage, and leading business intelligence tools," said Pete Fiore, vice president and general manager of Ardent Software's Data Warehouse business unit. "We believe that meta data management is and will continue to be a critical component in developing and maintaining the data warehouse. The MetaConnect Cooperative responds to the increased market demand for meta data management and integration, giving IT managers the ability to combine best-of-breed tools while overcoming the problems posed by disconnected meta data environments."

"MetaConnect is a partner program that stands to benefit companies deploying multiple decision support systems," said Robert Craig, vice president, application architectures at the Hurwitz Group. "Ardent and the participants in this cooperative are establishing a powerful, open infrastructure for sharing meta data between previously incompatible products. Hurwitz Group applauds this effort at facilitating enterprise-wide meta data integration."

At the core of the MetaConnect program is a truly new technology that enables the decomposition and recomposition of the atomic components of meta data. By breaking down and recombining data at this level, each tool is able to communicate the complex semantics of its own meta data. "The goal of the MetaConnect Cooperative is to enhance the depth and quality of the customer's data warehouse by enabling software tools to share meta data without requiring a repository," said Nikki Myers, business development manager at Ardent Software. "Our acquisition of Dovetail Software has allowed us to leverage their patented technology to overcome the obstacles of other meta data exchange models that limit both the type and amount of information that tools can communicate."

"Incorporating Ardent's DataStage into our solutions has allowed Compaq to enhance its data warehousing service offerings with enterprise-strength tools, and offer our customers seamless meta data sharing," said Laura Farnham, vice president, Business Intelligence Practice, Compaq Services. "Ardent's broad support for platforms including Alpha NT, Intel NT, and UNIX, along with their worldwide presence, make them a valued partner."

Ardent Software is a data management company with a range of software products, including database systems and data warehouse development tools. For more information, see http://www.ardentsoftware.com