MERANT DataDirect to Deliver Data Access Components for Mac OS X
DataDirect Technology expands data access capabilities for Mac OS X users
Apple WWDC 2001 -- San Jose, CA -- May 23, 2001 ? MERANT (NNM: MRNT; LSE:
MRN) DataDirect, provider of industry-leading ODBC and JDBC solutions to
more than 40,000 customers and over 500 OEM partners, today announced plans
to extend its DataDirect ODBC technology to Mac OS X, Apple's next
generation operating system. DataDirect will enable Macintosh software
developers to connect their Mac OS X applications, including Microsoft
Office, FileMaker or any ODBC-enabled application, to industry-leading
databases including SQL Server, Sybase and Informix.
"We're thrilled to provide industry-leading data connectivity for Mac OS
X," said Eric Egertson, MERANT vice president of business development. "The
whole focus of MERANT DataDirect is to provide world-class, cross-platform
data access products. By adding support for Mac OS X, MERANT DataDirect
provides Mac software developers with the data access tools they need to
extend their applications to connect with industry-leading databases."
"Mac OS X's open source foundation, advanced standards based networking and
superior performance make it an ideal platform for database programming,"
said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.
"MERANT DataDirect and Mac OS X allow Mac software developers to leverage
the power of Apple's next generation operating system and secure fast and
reliable access to their enterprise databases." Based on the latest ODBC
3.5 specification, DataDirect Connect ODBC 3.7 drivers communicate via the
database vendors' wire-level protocols, enabling faster and more direct
data access without requiring the use of database client libraries.
DataDirect's wire-level ODBC drivers are designed to provide better
performance and simplified configuration. DataDirect Connect ODBC 3.7
supports all features and functionality of Mac OS X, including
multi-processing, an Aqua-based configuration utility, and connectivity
with all applications built for Mac OS X.
"We're excited about our partnership with MERANT DataDirect, the leading
provider of data connectivity technologies," said Dominique Goupil,
president, FileMaker. "MERANT DataDirect's market-leading ODBC technologies
for Mac OS X, plus FileMaker Pro 5.5, will enable our customers to easily
and quickly access and integrate a wide variety of data sources within
their FileMaker solutions."
In addition to MERANT's support for Mac OS X, MERANT is also enhancing its
ODBC offering for Apple's classic Mac OS by adding support for SQL Server
7/2000 and the latest ODBC specification ? version 3.5. All MERANT
DataDirect offerings for Macintosh platforms are currently available for
OEM licensing by commercial software vendors via MERANT's OEM Sales
division (800-876-3101, option 2). They are also available for direct
purchase via MERANT's channel partner, Metro Technologies, at
www.metrotechnologies.com. Availability schedules for both the classic Mac
OS upgrade and the DataDirect for Mac OS X product are available at
http://www.merant.com/datadirect.
About MERANT
MERANT is the leading provider of software solutions for enterprise change
management; development, transformation and integration of legacy
applications; and data connectivity. More than 5 million professionals use
MERANT technology at 60,000 customer sites, including the entire Fortune
100 and the majority of the Global 500. Founded in 1976, MERANT has 1,700
employees and more than 600 technology partners. For additional
information, visit www.merant.com.
