Apple and IBM Announce Strategic Tools Initiative in Support of OpenDoc

Agreement Sets Stage for Development of Powerful Tools for Custom Solution Programming and OpenDoc Component Integration

SAN JOSE, California--May 8, 1995--Apple Computer, Inc. and International Business Machines Corporation announced today their intent to provide multi-platform application development tools, which will enable users to build custom applications using OpenDoc technology. With this initiative, Apple and IBM demonstrate their continued commitment to OpenDoc. The announcement was made today at the annual Apple Worldwide Developer Conference, which provides a forum for Apple and its business partners to unveil major technology initiatives.

These tools will provide in-house application developers as well as consultants, value-added resellers, independent software vendors, systems integrators, and other solution providers the ability to create and script OpenDoc components to build custom applications. These tools will bring the excitement of visual programming in BASIC to the Mac OS, OS/2*, AIX* and Windows platforms.

The OpenDoc architecture provides a model for software interoperability that enables the creation of distributed, cross-platform component software. Use of OpenDoc technology allows the creation of simple, single-function as well as complex application components that provide efficient reuse of software objects.

Users benefit from the adoption of OpenDoc technology because they can rapidly create software developed with OpenDoc parts--parts that allow tight integration of data, text, and media to create custom application solutions. The power of OpenDoc technology is further enhanced when used with PowerPC* technology, the industry's leading RISC-based processor from Apple, IBM and Motorola.

"This initiative reinforces IBM's and Apple's commitment to provide advanced, multi-platform programming tools that enable users to extend existing BASIC applications through the use of OpenDoc technology," said Tim Negris, vice president, Application Development Marketing, IBM Software Solutions Division. "Our combined efforts will allow developers to build new, advanced, native OpenDoc solutions as well as redeploy existing BASIC applications to a significantly broader user base on OS/2, AIX, Mac OS and Windows platforms."

Ike Nassi, vice president, Apple System Software Technology, added, "This effort represents an important step in providing powerful tools that will support OpenDoc and provide a compelling Visual Basic-style solution to Macintosh users. These custom application development tools support the move to RISC-based PowerPC development and meet customers' growing demands for multi-platform development capabilities."

According to both companies, this newly announced development environment is expected to:

• Run on Mac OS, OS/2, AIX, and Windows operating systems;
• Incorporate BASIC language technology, similar to Visual Basic;
• Include object-oriented extensions to the BASIC programming language;
• Provide the ability to create and script OpenDoc parts into composite applications;
• Exploit the IBM System Object Model (SOM)*, a language neutral, object-structured protocol that allows programmers to write object oriented applications regardless of what programming language was used to create the object;
• Provide access to many data sources via multiple data access protocols, including the open database connectivity (ODBC) services.

"This announcement is of strategic importance to both developers and users," said Michael Barton, vice president of marketing for Component Integration Laboratories, Inc. (CI Labs), the open, vendor-neutral association founded to drive the adoption of component software through the OpenDoc standard. "The tools will provide developers with a powerful, visual development environment that is multi-platform and built on component software standards. Users will also benefit through intuitive, cross-platform solutions that share a common user interface."

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy to use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services and personal digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific and engineering and government markets in more than 140 countries.

IBM, the world's largest software company, creates, develops, and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM's Software Solutions Division, which has the object technology mission within IBM, provides data management, application development, and workgroup solutions for mission critical applications on PCs, workstations, LANs and host systems.

(C) 1995 Apple Computer, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. OpenDoc and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. All other brand names mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.

* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.