Western Data Systems announces CompassCONTRACT for Hewlett-Packard UNIX servers; Aerospace &...

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 1995--Western Data Systems (WDS) Friday announced the immediate availability of its CompassCONTRACT Aerospace & Defense Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System on HP 9000 servers using the HP-UX Operating System.

CompassCONTRACT is comprised of

"Now that many of the larger A&D contractors have put in place consolidated, downsized organizations to manage their defense-related businesses, they are beginning to look for commercial off-the-shelf client/server application software products to replace their existing mainframe business systems," said Dr. Anton F. Rodde, President of WDS.

"Industry leaders such as Hughes Aircraft, Lockheed Martin and McDonnell Douglas have recently chosen WDS to supply their new applications because we have demonstrated a thorough understanding of their business and the special cost, schedule, and configuration management needs of the A&D environment.

"These companies recognize that CompassCONTRACT delivers both the functionality and advanced technology required to support the modern, streamlined business processes that will enable them to compete effectively over the coming years. Now, with this announcement, CompassCONTRACT can be deployed on any combination of the industry's three most popular UNIX platforms. This is one example of the type of flexibility A&D manufacturers have told us they need in order to reduce their costs while improving their business processes."

"Our aerospace & defense prime contractor customers are recognizing a great deal of change in their business, requiring maximum flexibility and openness in their business systems," said William R. Neill, aerospace program manager of the HP Computer Systems Organization. "The WDS solution meets that need with both functionality for the A&D manufacturer and an open-systems architecture to meet future changing environments."

HP 9000 servers, which are based on HP's industry-leading HP-UX operating system and PA-RISC technology, provide the high performance and systems management capabilities required by data center environments, as well as the flexibility and performance needed for client/server implementations. HP now has helped more than 3,000 customers move from mainframe computers to open systems.

The UNIX version of CompassCONTRACT was initially released in 1994, and beta tested at Hughes Aircraft. CompassCONTRACT utilizes an advanced three-layer client/server architecture, with the Oracle Relational Database Management System and a Graphical User Interface (GUI). It can be deployed in multiple configurations consisting of UNIX application and database servers, with PC/Windows and UNIX workstation clients, as well as dumb terminals.

On Hewlett-Packard HP 9000 servers, CompassCONTRACT is compatible with HP-UX, version 10.0. The product is also available on Sun Solaris and Digital Alpha AXP platforms with their respective UNIX operating systems.

CompassCONTRACT is built on the Oracle7 Relational DBMS on all platforms. In April, WDS and Oracle announced a joint development and marketing agreement whereby the two companies will integrate CompassCONTRACT with the Oracle financial applications. Once completed, the combined solution will likewise be available on all three platforms.

Pricing for CompassCONTRACT varies by number of users and functional software components. Typical configurations range from $250,000 to $2 million.

Founded in 1978 and with headquarters in Calabasas, Calif., WDS is the leading supplier of manufacturing, cost, configuration, and contract management application software to the A&D industry.

In the 1980's, WDS helped introduce the use of MRPII principles to A&D, and built its leadership position helping companies implement these techniques to improve productivity while complying with government reporting regulations. In recent years, WDS has worked closely with A&D customers to help define new, streamlined business processes and the associated application functionality.

HP is the world's leading supplier of open, client/server systems and is the second-largest computer supplier in the United States, with computer revenue of $19.6 billion in its 1994 fiscal year. HP has over 25 years experience supplying products and services to the federal government, aerospace & defense prime contractors and their suppliers. Hewlett-Packard Co. is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 98,600 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

WDS is a member of the Visionary Corporate Technologies Inc. group, a family of information systems companies dedicated to delivering competitive advantage to businesses around the globe. In addition to WDS, the Visionary Group includes Vicor Inc., a systems engineering company that delivers advanced information technologies for large corporate clients; Avistar Systems, a provider of enterprise collaboration products; and Siren Software, a developer of cross-platform, Internet-compliant e-mail, network fax, and X.500 directory products. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: WDS logo and CompassCONTRACT are registered

trademarks of Western Data Systems of Nevada Inc. Oracle and

Oracle7 are trademarks of Oracle Corp. All other products or

company names mentioned are used for identification purposes

only and are trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Western Data Systems, Calabasas

Mary Lou Miller, 818/880-0800

818/880-1424 (fax)

miller@westdata.com (e-mail)