October 29, 1998 -- San Francisco -- Athena Design today announced the release of Integer 2.0, the newest version of its real-time collaborative spreadsheet server. Integer 2.0 is compatible with Swing, permits objects to be placed in spreadsheet cells, enables security control of specific levels of spreadsheet access among various users, takes better advantage than ever before of the speed and power of multiple CPUs and enables developers to easily add their own custom formula functions to the over 350 that already ship with Integer. Integer 2.0 permits system administrators to deploy Integer across the enterprise without writing a single line of code. However, many corporations will want to take advantage of Integer’s logically structured, open APIs to build customized Integer-based applications that fit their needs exactly.

With Integer, corporations can integrate sophisticated spreadsheet and analytics functionality into distributed, multi-tier application environments. Corporations are using Integer to enable geographically distant staff, or staff and customers, to work together in real-time on spreadsheets via Intranets, Extranets and the Internet. Users can update spreadsheet information with real-time data feeds, populate their spreadsheets from JDBC data sources and import and export from legacy spreadsheets. Corporations are also finding Integer’s server-based technology ideal for publishing spreadsheets to employees who work at multiple locations nationally and internationally.

"In the seven month since we released Integer 1.0, the world’s first real-time collaborative spreadsheet, we’ve received a ton of great customer feedback on how to migrate a desktop centric application to the server," said David Pollak, President of Athena Design. "Based on this feedback, we’ve added hundreds of features and APIs to Integer. Our financial service customers have responded by using Integer to implement systems we would never have dreamed of. It’s way cool to see our product used in new and unique ways."

National Equity Fund has built an Integer-based application to distribute huge spreadsheets to analysts who are using an array of clients and don’t have time to wait for time-consuming downloads every time they sit down to work. "We chose Integer as a cornerstone of our IT efforts because it offers the power we need combined with access to legacy spreadsheets that housed our business logic and rules," said Robert Daniel, CIO of National Equity Fund. "The days of traditional spreadsheets are over. Current business dynamics over-tax single-user spreadsheet applications. The Integer spreadsheet server addresses the information needs of the future by melding the power of an object-oriented architecture, the manageability of server-based software, and true integration with the Intranet and Internet."

• The Integer real-time collaborative spreadsheet server can now be deployed without writing any code. With Integer 2.0, Athena Design has further increased the already groundbreaking speed and ease of development using Integer. System administrators can now publish huge spreadsheets and let users collaborate in real-time with no programming.
• Swing (JFC) compatibility enables developers to build applications with the latest user interface technology.
• Network interfaces can be mixed and matched with pluggable transport between client and server. Users can access Integer Enterprise Servers via TCP/IP (works great in Internet Explorer), RMI, and secure transports including CORBA and TengahÔ RMI.
• Custom formula functions, in addition to the over 350 that ship with Integer, extend Integer’s calculation capabilities with in-house analytics packages or other custom packages, even C and C++ libraries.
• Objects can be placed in cells, as well as numbers and strings. With objects in cells, corporations set up business models that reflect all the complexity of financial instruments and other industry-specific objects. Examples of such objects are currency values and derivative instruments.
• Compatibility with COM enables developers to use Visual Basic and C++, as well as JavaÔ , to access Integer spreadsheet objects. This means all the power of Integer, including real-time collaborative functionality, can now be accessed from Visual Basic and C++.
• Floating components, such as check boxes and pull-down menus, make it easier for users to enter data into shared spreadsheets. Floating components may be placed anywhere on the spreadsheet to control specific cells.
• Security controls enable corporations to secure their confidential formulas from prying eyes and protect their spreadsheets against corruption. Access to specific spreadsheet sections and functions may be limited according to the level of authorization of the individual user.

Integer 2.0’s new features are welcome additions to Integer’s previously existing real-time collaboration and real-time, multiple source data feed capabilities. These real-time interactive capabilities, along with the ability of users to quickly download only what they need from the Integer spreadsheet server, are the core of Integer.

"Integer is a valued NetWare® 5 compatible product that was a recent finalist in the NetWare 5 Developers Contest. As a result, Novell DeveloperNet invited Athena Design to participate in our NetWare 5 Winner’s Circle with Integer," said Carleton Watkins, Director of Novell’s DeveloperNet Labs group. "Integer enables people to work together on the same spreadsheet in real-time, whether the users are in different buildings, different states or different countries. This unique functionality enhances the value of NetWare 5 to end users and IT managers, and it has already resulted in new VAR and reseller opportunities. Integer integrates with Novell Directory Services® (NDS™), which reduces costs and increases performance through simplified network management, access and security. Connecting people with secure, directory enabled information regardless of location is important to Novell’s strategy; we highly value our development relationship with Athena Design as part of that strategy."

"Integer 2.0 is a great complement to Inprise’s JBuilder™ product. The Integer integration of a robust spreadsheet GUI into the front-end with a powerful spreadsheet server on the back-end is key for reliable enterprise applications," said Joe Nicholson, Director of Enterprise Tools at Inprise Corporation. "The real-time collaboration and multiple real-time data feed features make Integer a strong enterprise solution."

Fast time to market has always been one of the primary boons to developers who use Integer. Athena has made a commitment to supporting developers who must take applications to market quickly. Athena Design continues this commitment with Integer 2.0.

"Using Integer 2.0, we can save months of developer time building real-time spreadsheet applications," said Ronald V. Simmons, President of VNP Software, Inc., a leading financial service systems integrator. "With the addition of Swing compatibility, COM compatibility and pluggable transport between client and server, development is easy no matter what the environment. Integer 2.0 also enables us to provide even easier to use, more functional object-oriented solutions to our customers. We’re pleased to be one of the professional services companies to offer Integer Enterprise Server consulting."

There are four versions of Integer 2.0, all available for immediate shipment. Integer IDK, a non-distributed version ideal for local application development, has over 350 formula functions and imports and exports Lotus 1-2-3Ò WK1 files. It is priced at $279 per developer with no run-time royalties. Integer Plus has all the features of Integer IDK, has full spreadsheet capabilities, ExcelÒ import and export and JDBC database access. It is priced at $799 per developer. Integer Server has all the features of Integer Plus, but is designed for multi-tier application development in distributed computing environments of up to 50 users. It is priced at $999 per developer and $4,999 per server. Integer Enterprise Server has all the features of Integer Server. In addition, it supports huge worksheets, unlimited simultaneous users, multiple CPU recalculation, objects in cells and many other features. It is priced at $999 per developer and $14,999 per server.

# # #

All trademarks and registered trademarks are acknowledged. Excel is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Lotus 1-2-3 is a trademark or registered trademark of IBM Corporation. NetWare, Novell Directory Services and NDS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Novell Corporation. JBuilder is a trademark or registered trademark of Inprise Corporation. Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Tengah is a trademark or registered trademark of WebLogic, Inc. Integer, Integer Server and Spreadsheet Server are trademarks of Athena Design, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the company with which they are associated.