Business/Technology Editors

BrainShare 2000

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2000

Pervasive's Zero-Administration Database Engine Selected for

Cross-Platform Network Management Software

Pervasive Software Inc. (Nasdaq:PVSW), a leading provider of software that delivers the freedom to create applications for everyone, everywhere, today announced that the Pervasive.SQL(TM) 2000 database is the underlying database engine for Novell's ManageWise network management software. Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq:NOVL), is a leading provider of Net services software that delivers services to secure and power all types of networks--the Internet, intranets, and extranets; wired to wireless; corporate and public--across leading operating systems.

The Pervasive.SQL 2000 database engine delivers robust, zero-administration data management development software for e-business applications running on next-generation networks. Pervasive.SQL 2000 offers highly scalable, best-of-both-worlds transactional and relational database access; integration with Novell's NDS eDirectory, including administrator-level security; and industry-leading lowest total cost of ownership (TCO). The combination of Pervasive.SQL 2000 and Pervasive's Tango 2000 Web application development software gives developers a comprehensive solution for e-business applications deployed across multiple operating environments.

Novell's ManageWise software is designed to manage pure IP networks and network segments and enables businesses with growing or changing network requirements to simplify and automate cross-platform network management. With ManageWise, network administrators are able to manage and control rapidly expanding IP networks and mixed protocol environments from a single point of administration, including NDS monitoring, NetWare, and Windows NT server management. ManageWise reduces total cost of network ownership by enabling increased network performance, reliability, stability and decreased cost of management.

"As all types of networks come together as one Net, secure and efficient management from a single point of administration is critical to simplify the complexities of business," said David Shirk, senior vice president of product management for Novell. "By incorporating Pervasive Software's database engine with our network management software, we can deliver next-generation e-business management for ManageWise customers."

"Novell's choice of Pervasive.SQL 2000 as the database engine for the latest version of ManageWise underscores the continuing momentum of the Pervasive and Novell relationship as both companies collaborate to deliver the next generation of software infrastructure for e-business," said Ron Harris, president and CEO of Pervasive Software. "With Pervasive.SQL 2000 serving as the underlying database for ManageWise, Novell customers will benefit from our database engine's zero-administration capabilities, scalable performance and ease of integration with sophisticated Web applications powered by our Tango 2000 software."

About Pervasive.SQL 2000

The Pervasive.SQL 2000 family of database products dramatically simplifies the development and deployment of business-critical applications on the desktop, across the Web, and in embedded, mobile and handheld devices. This cross-platform product line delivers the performance, scalability and development support needed to meet the challenge of creating and deploying a new breed of e-business and wireless Web applications. With Pervasive.SQL 2000, developers and end users enjoy exceptional run-time reliability, a best-of-both-worlds combination of high-speed transactional processing and robust SQL data access, and zero-administration operation--features that have long made Pervasive.SQL a leading database engine for powerful, low-cost-of-ownership business applications.

About Pervasive Software

Pervasive Software Inc. (Nasdaq:PVSW) delivers the freedom to create applications for everyone, everywhere. The company's innovative software powers the next generation of pervasive computing, enabling e-business applications to reach beyond the desktop and easily share information across everything from handheld devices and smart cards to information appliances and the Internet. A channel of more than 10,000 independent software vendors (ISVs), developers, value-added resellers (VARs) and partners builds, distributes and manages thousands of Pervasive-based applications on computing platforms across many corporate, mainstream and vertical markets.

Based in Austin, Texas, Pervasive has offices in Canada, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia and 70 distributors covering 80 countries. Visit Pervasive on the Web at www.pervasive.com or call (800) 287-4383.

Cautionary Statement

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by words such as "may," "plans," "expects," "believes," "anticipates" or "intends." Forward-looking statements in this release about Pervasive.SQL 2000 software involve the risk that the software will not achieve customer and market acceptance, whether in connection with Novell's products or otherwise, and that applications mentioned in the release will not be developed using our software. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to Pervasive as of the date hereof, and Pervasive assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Investors are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from Pervasive's current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the factors and risks discussed in Pervasive's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pervasive, Pervasive Software, Pervasive.SQL, Tango and Btrieve are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pervasive Software Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.