---

Future Three's Year 2000 Version of AutoRelease, VendorRelease Ready for Delivery

31 March 1998

Future Three's Year 2000 Version of AutoRelease, VendorRelease Ready for Delivery

    NORTHVILLE, Mich., March 31 -- After a successful multi-
phased testing program, Future Three announces the Year 2000 compliant Version
12 of AutoRelease and Version 4 of VendorRelease are ready for delivery.  To
allow for a smooth installation of the world-class EDI release accounting and
shipping control applications for each customer, staged distribution runs
through May, 1998 via tape media.
    The on-schedule delivery comes after an extensive development and testing
program coordinated by Future Three's Year 2000 cross-functional team.  The
challenge was that programs and databases store calendar dates in six byte
YYMMDD format.  Thus, on January 1, 2000, the 00 in the YY part of the date
field would be calculated as 1900 unless modifications were made.
    Future Three met the challenge by changing the format of how calendar
dates are stored within the AutoRelease and VendorRelease systems.  The
modification is from a six byte, numeric field to a ten byte, character date
field. i.e. YYYY-MM-DD (2000-01-01).  The format for calendar date storage is
the recommended IBM solution.
    "From the customer's perspective, the actual data entry and display of
calendar dates in the software will remain the same," explains Vic Kingery,
Vice President of Quality and Communications for Future Three.  "The
modifications were made to dates stored within the system.  The changes are
virtually invisible to Future Three clients."
    The AutoRelease and VendorRelease customer base is using Future Three's
implementation guide to successfully plan for and install the Year 2000
compliant versions.  The guide contains the specific recommendations and
conversion considerations, as well as other important information.
    Future Three, located in Northville, Mich., develops EDI release
accounting and shipping control applications specifically engineered for high-
volume automotive suppliers.  Future Three has been providing world-class
solutions to automotive suppliers' demand management needs since 1983.
Additional information about Future Three Software's products and services can
be obtained by contacting the company at 800-444-2488 or via the Internet at
http://www.future3.com.

SOURCE  Future Three