Claris To FileMaker, Inc.

Claris To FileMaker, Inc
Dominique Goupil, January 27, 1998

Today we are announcing important changes which may affect how you do business with us.

Claris will restructure to focus exclusively on information-management solutions, to maximize the growth and success of its award-winning FileMaker Pro line of database software. FileMaker, Inc.'s mission will be to deliver compelling information-management solutions to customers ranging from SOHO to enterprise workgroups.

This restructuring will include changing our name from Claris Corp. to FileMaker, Inc., and divesting products other than the FileMaker Pro line.

Beginning February 1 in the USA and April 1 internationally, Apple will distribute all Apple-branded software, including Mac OS 8. In addition, Apple will develop, distribute and support the award-winning ClarisWorks integrated productivity software. ClarisWorks is the leading productivity software in the K-12 education market, a key market focus for Apple.

The Claris Emailer, ClarisDraw, ClarisImpact and Claris Organizer product lines will move to Apple.

We're excited about transforming Claris into FileMaker, Inc. and focusing all our energy on the strong and growing FileMaker line (which will include Claris Home Page). FileMaker Pro is the most popular standalone database software for the Macintosh and is the second most popular database software for Windows (retail sales not including suites), with about 3 million units sold and 2,500 developers. Sales of the FileMaker Pro line were $73 million in FY97, and $24 million in the most recent quarter which ended Dec. 26, 1997. Sales of the Windows versions more than tripled during the past two years (from $9 million to $28 million) and grew 77 percent during the most recent quarter over the same quarter a year ago.

But this intense focus on FileMaker requires us to exit several other businesses. Please be assured that Claris and Apple are taking pains to make the transition of ClarisWorks and Apple-branded software sales and distribution as smooth as possible.

Thank you for your support as we begin this exciting transition.

Sincerely,

Dominique Goupil

President

FileMaker, Inc.

 

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