Press Releases - 1999

SAN MATEO, CA, April 26, 1999 — Bruce Scott, co-founder of both Oracle Corporation and Gupta Technology (now Centura Software), today formally launched his new startup to enable explosive growth of Internet-based, embedded database applications. Scott founded PointBase, formerly known as DataBahn, to bring to market a family of portable 100% Pure Java™ embedded database products — including the industry's first corporate data synchronization capability — to support e-commerce, Web-based mobile workforce applications, and a range of Internet appliances such as Web-based PDAs and set-top boxes.

An initial infusion last year of $1.9 million from DataMirror Corp. helped PointBase to deliver the beta version of its database engine to 10 test-site customers well ahead of schedule. These customers are reporting that even with an exceptionally small footprint — requiring as little as 270 KB of RAM — the PointBase Mobile Edition and multi-user Network Server deliver robust embedded data management, two-way data replication with most major enterprise databases, and self-managing features that ensure near-zero cost of ownership.

The success of the beta testing is indicated by a recent deal with one of the beta customers. Evergreen Internet, Inc. has agreed to embed PointBase's database into ECential, a new class of e-commerce software that enables small to medium-sized companies to build and deploy Web-based catalogs. "We selected PointBase because it supports both Java and industry standard SQL, which means it is highly transportable and platform-independent," said Chris Stazsak, chief technology officer at Evergreen. "We were looking for a product that would hide the fact that a database was actually in existence, one that didn't require a particular platform to run on, and that was easy to install and maintain. PointBase fit the bill."

"We're thinking big by thinking small, which is the only way to think when it comes to the world of embedded databases," said Scott. "Our 100% Java database engines, with their robustness and platform independence, deliver "drop-in" caching and storage for Internet-based e-commerce servers. In addition, the bi-directional data synchronization with central corporate data repositories that our products provide will extend a data lifeline out to the growing millions of mobile workers via Internet as well as wireless connections. And our third targeted market — Internet appliances such as set top boxes — require the combination of rock-bottom cost of ownership and ultra-small footprint that only PointBase solutions provide."
 

Three Fast-Growing Markets Drive the Need for Embedded Databases

All three of PointBase's targeted markets — e-commerce; mobile workers; and Web-based appliances, devices and set-top boxes — are on the high-growth path:

• While forecasts of the e-commerce market vary wildly, there is a clear relationship between e-commerce growth and the Internet boom. Framingham, Mass.-based International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts that the number of Internet users will reach 328.5 million in 2002, up from 142.9 million this year. Hand in hand with that growth, the value of goods and services bought over the Web will vault to nearly $426 billion by 2002 from $67.1 billion last year.
   
• The mobile workforce is exploding as well: GartnerGroup projects that there will be 60 million mobile workers in the workforce by 2001.
   
• As for Internet appliances, a recent IDC research report predicted that shipments of such devices will outstrip sales of PCs by 2002.

All this explains why Rafe Needleman, editorial director of events at Red Herring magazine, wrote the following in November, 1998: "We believe that DataBahn is the right company, in the right segment, at the right time, and that it has the potential to achieve pre-eminent status as a data management company." So doing, PointBase (then called DataBahn) became Red Herring's first "Catch of the Season" because of its "experienced management team, strong focus on a viable long-term market, and excellent Java-based technology."
 

An Experienced Management Team

The PointBase leadership includes a number of industry trailblazers, technology innovators and seasoned veterans from some of the world's most successful high-tech companies:

• Bruce Scott, Founder, President and CEO, has more than 20 years experience in the database development industry. With Larry Ellison, Bob Miner and Ed Oates, Bruce co-founded Oracle in 1977 where he co-authored the first three versions of the Oracle database. After that, he co-founded Gupta Technology (now called Centura Software) in 1984, where he came up with the notion of the small footprint workgroup server for the Intel-based platform, and delivered to the marketplace Gupta's SQLBase — the first database designed specifically for PC LANs. Bruce was also a founder and principal at inquiry.com, an Internet company that developed an early "portal" focused on providing information to IT decision makers.
   
• Mark Bowman, VP of Sales, brings to PointBase more than 11 years of experience building sales organizations and channel infrastructures. Mark has held senior level sales management, marketing management, and business development positions at Adaptec, Oracle, Xerox and IBM. He has successfully developed new markets and established international sales channels.
   
• Jeff Richey, Co-Founder, VP of Engineering, has more than 15 years of database experience, including stints as a core architect and development manager at IBM, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and Sybase. Jeff holds patents for two key innovations in SQL performance, and is recognized as an industry leader in database product development and standards, the latter through his work with ANSI, the defining technology board for the RDBMS industry.
   
• Mark Grandcolas, VP of Business Development, has 15 years of senior level sales and marketing management and business development experience at IBM, Intersolv and Sun Microsystems. Mark was also an initial member of the JavaSoft OEM licensing division where he played a major role in making Java the choice of set-top box and smart card manufacturers.
   
• Art Monk, VP of Marketing, has 20 years of marketing, channels, and strategic planning experience. Art founded Monk & Associates, a marketing and strategy consulting firm, and co-founded Keyword Office Technologies. He has also held senior management positions at Hewlett-Packard and ROLM.
   
• Ali Mahdavi, CFO, has over 20 years of experience building finance organizations and managing and advising such companies as Coopers & Lybrand, Victory Computer and Ashtec. As Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Ashtec, a manufacturer of global positioning systems, Ali was instrumental in growing the company to $50 million in revenues.

About PointBase

The PointBase family of 100% Pure Java embedded data management products enables a new class of Java-based networked applications to support e-commerce, Web-based mobile workers, and Internet devices such as Web/cable set-top boxes. PointBase provides the lowest cost of ownership by delivering robust, platform-independent data storage with breakthroughs in ease of use, data replication, near-zero administration, and portability. PointBase was established in 1998 by Bruce Scott, co-founder of Oracle Corporation and Gupta/Centura Software, and Jeff Richey, one of the key developers of the Sybase SQL database server. The management team includes industry veterans from IBM, Oracle, Sybase, Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems. More information about PointBase is available on the world wide web at http://www.pointbase.com.
 

Note to Editors — PointBase is a trademark of PointBase All other product, trademark, company or service names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
 

For Details, Contact:

Chris Lalli
UpStart Communications
(510) 420-7283
clalli@upstart.com

Art Monk
PointBase
(650) 294-7235
art.monk@pointbase.com