Hitachi, Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Hitachi, President & Representative 
Director; Etsuhiko Shoyama) and Assist Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Assist,
Representative Director; Bill Totten) have agreed to the joint development of a 
linkage function between Hitachi's total system operation control software JP1 and 
Assist's development support software PowerBuilder and concluded a contract. With 
this joint development, Hitachi can strengthen the development environment for JP1 
and Assist can strengthen the operating environment for PowerBuilder, resulting in a 
great increase in software development and operating efficiency. Both companies are 
scheduled to merchandize software with the linkage function between JP1 and 
PowerBuilder developed under this joint development contract and start sales around 
fall of 1999.
     
     JP1 is total system operation control software including software distribution and 
network control functions and is being sold not only in Japan but also in overseas 
markets as an open middle software product compatible with multi-platforms. JP1 is 
now used in more than 2,500 companies and boasted as a top-share product(*) in the 
system operation control field in Japan.
     
     *: Japanese market share in 1998 surveyed by IDC Japan. 
     
     PowerBuilder is an advanced software development support software which is a 
leading product in its market as a standard of RAD (Rapid Application Development) 
4GL for business application development with more than 30,000 licenses in Japan.
     
     When application software with JP1's operating control function is developed by 
the RAD method with PowerBuilder based on the linkage function between the 
operation control product and development support product newly developed by both 
companies this time, application construction taking operation into account at the initial 
stage of development becomes possible. Since an operating program does not need to be 
created when developing package software and user applications, the development 
efficiency will be increased. With the function of JP1, developed software can be easily 
and effectively distributed, installed, and controlled, and in the utilization of distribution 
systems and Web applications,its cost can be greatly decreased. In addition, Hitachi will 
adopt the technological base obtained by the joint development of the JP1 and 
PowerBuilder linkage function in Hitachi's development support tools SEWB+ and 
APPGALLERY, and is going to open its specifications to the public to distribute it more 
widely.
     
<Notes>
- PowerBuilder is a registered trademark of Sybase, Inc. in the U.S.A.
- All other company and product names used herein may be trademarks or 
registered trademarks of their respective owners.