Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : SNDT - Sand Technology - A diamond in the sand -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: let who wrote (1142)	11/10/1999 11:30:00 AM
From: Sleeper	Respond to of 1200

Company Press Release Sand Technology Systems: Nucleus Version 2.5 Hits the Market -- Enhanced Functionality Enables Cost Effective CRM and Decision Support LONDON & MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1999--SAND (NASDAQ:SNDT - news) AT DATA WAREHOUSING '99 Sand Technology Systems International Inc. (NASDAQ:SNDT - news) today announced the general availability and commercial release of Nucleus Exploration Mart and Nucleus Prototype Mart, Version 2.5. This new software release introduces unique functionality, including many robust features enabling breakthrough capabilities for building, deploying and accessing decision-oriented applications like CRM, ERP and Business Intelligence. Nucleus users will see a new ODBC fast load capability from any data source, enhanced analytical capabilities using Virtual Private Databases (VDBs), improved installation, ease of use and flexibility using new GUI tools, and increased system performance and data extensibility made possible by integration with Windows NT utilities. ``Nucleus 2.5 delivers many unique capabilities for companies that rely on timely analysis of critical business systems like DSS, CRM, ERP and Business Intelligence,' said Doug Lynn, Vice President of Meta Group. ``As core business units like marketing and finance increase their demand for new and frequent changes to CRM applications and DSS systems, time to deployment combined with both predictable and containable cost is critical. Through the combination the ODBC fast load connectivity and the use of Nucleus' new Virtual Private Database functionality, Nucleus can now be used to rapidly 'specialise' end users' analytical needs.' Nucleus Prototype Mart is a prototyping and development facility for data warehouse designers that allows fast and simple data acquisition, assimilation, and validation. It allows warehouse development to be completed within days, instead of the typical months or even years, and requires up to 70 per cent less manpower to complete a typical implementation. Further, using the Nucleus Exploration Warehouse, end users have access to the data throughout the process, allowing required business questions to be structured from day one. Nucleus Exploration Mart, is a powerful analytical processing tool for end users of existing data marts and warehouses. This product addresses the need to perform iterative, ad hoc, forensic queries of data, involving drill-oriented tasks often not envisioned during the original design of the data warehouse or mart. The patented data storage techniques and performance of Nucleus allows any question to be asked and answered in seconds or minutes instead of hours or days. ``The early customer testimonials on Nucleus Version 2.5 have exceeded our most aggressive expectations for this software release,' stated Kevin Horigan, Executive Vice President, Sand. ``Customer excitement over the new product functionality has expanded the use of Nucleus from our traditional departmental DSS-oriented solutions into enterprise CRM and ERP environments.'

To: let who wrote (1142)	11/11/1999 2:20:00 PM
From: Sleeper	Respond to of 1200

NOVEMBER 11, 1999 Sand Technology Systems International Reports Year-End Results MONTREAL, QUEBEC--SAND TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL INC. (NASDAQ: SNDT) reported today a net loss for its fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 of ($4,960,964) or ($0.582) per share on sales of $2,091,067 as compared to a net loss of ($906,722) or ($0.106) per share on sales of $3,088,041 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. Arthur Ritchie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sand, said that ``these results reflect the decision of the company to substantially increase its investment in sales and marketing, and in aggressively stepping up its ongoing development efforts, in line with the growing acceptance of its Nucleus products in the marketplace. We now have over fifty major enterprises in various stages of Nucleus procurement as part of their growth strategies for the new millennium.' Mr. Ritchie added that the company has put in place a strategy of getting Nucleus products adopted by a wide range of organizations. "We have elected to go wide rather than deep as the first stage of making Nucleus Exploration a pervasive product in the marketplace. As a result, we have focused on initially small 'proof of concept' projects with a broad range of customers. This allows them to swiftly verify Nucleus' unique capabilities at minimal risk. As a result of successful proof of concept installations these organizations are now positioning major Nucleus expansion as part of their information technology plans." The company has expanded its direct sales and marketing capabilities in North America and Europe to ensure broad acceptance of Nucleus products as a precursor to indirect sales activities by its channel partners. Mr. Ritchie added, ``the direct sales approach demonstrates our commitment to customers and partners and shows we're in it for the long term. We are augmenting every Nucleus software implementation with Sand consulting services, providing an enhanced revenue stream, quick and effective adoption of Nucleus, and total customer satisfaction. We are already seeing that this approach is optimum for our customers and partners in North America and Europe.' Mr. Ritchie emphasized that fiscal year 1999 was a watershed year for Sand Technology. The company decided to end its ties to the mainframe hardware market and to sell its stake in Hitachi Data Systems Inc. in order to focus completely on the design, development, marketing and support of leading innovative software products. ``Since the sale was completed after our July 31 year end, the financial impact will only be evident in our next quarter's results,' said Mr. Ritchie. ``We decided, with the growing evidence of Nucleus market acceptance, that the time was right to focus our capital and resources on Nucleus expansion.' To reflect this change, the Company has adopted a new logo and the streamlined name of Sand Technology. The Company is excited about the prospects for Fiscal 2000. According to Mr. Ritchie, ``these initial implementations of Nucleus may produce relatively small revenues, but they fit within the limited budgets that organizations can spare as they focus on finalizing Y2K issues, and allow them to budget for Nucleus in their next fiscal year. As we enter the last half of our Fiscal 2000, these enterprises will be past the Y2K 'freeze' and on their way to major Nucleus deployments. Meanwhile, we intend to increase the number of companies that are embracing Nucleus as a critical element of their Business Intelligence strategies for the new millennium. Perhaps even more relevant is the fact that our customers have discovered specific uses for Nucleus within vertical markets like healthcare, banking, brokerage and direct marketing that take specific advantage of Nucleus' unique product capabilities. These initial customer implementations have proven not to be customer-specific. They are very repeatable throughout many companies across vertical markets. This repeatability bodes well for Nucleus market penetration, revenue and profit in the future.' Arthur Richie actually said this? INCREDIBLE! Sleeper

To: let who wrote (1142)	11/19/1999 10:25:00 AM
From: kgg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1200

Let, I was on the conference call last week, am surprised no one has posted any real details from the call. AR said that 1st qtr. revenues would be 25% of all of last years revenues. Of course, that qtr. is over and he already knows what will be reported. But 2nd qtr. revenues will be many times the 1st qtr. Those were his words, he also said later in the call that the 2nd qtr. revenues would be significantly greater than the 1st qtr. His enthusiasm this call didn't let up at all. He also referred to "being bullish" more than once and "the company is extremely bullish" more than once. There are 50 companies using the nucleus or in various stages of procurement as the press release reported. But I sensed that these 50 are some real quality customers. In the 2 qtr. he indicated that 4-5 may move to crawl, and it's possible that 1 could run (remember his crawl/walk/run scenario?) I believe he said that very soon Arthur Anderson's web site would have a quick link to SNDT's web site. There will be press releases (soon I think) concerning IBM and ORCL as new channel partners. He also mentioned when questioned that he was going to let ORCL and IBM get the nucleus into internet business because it was cost prohibitive to do it on his own. It seems that ORCL is making a push for e-commerce software and SNDT may be useful to them. He was not concerned about his cash position now. In the 4th qtr. last year they sold 4 packages at 25k each. No company makes up more than 20% of sales. SNDT is selling solutions rather than software. Seems as though they go to a business and say let us fix your worst database nightmare. Within a matter of days SNDT arrives with the fix and closes a quick 25k sale then the company begins further consideration of a larger version to roll out to the whole company rather than just to fix a problem. Mentioned IBM as having a division known as AS/400 that does 15 billion per year in revenues with over 236,ooo customers. He said that that division could be getting involved with SNDT but won't commit to us today. Cannot plan on it but cannot count it out. In the long term picture, 30-50% of revenues will come from professional service fees as in help, ongoing support, and growing existing systems. But that's down the road. The US government still hasn't jumped in but the Canadian government is inquiring. In Jan. a major brokerage firm will become involved in some way. An finally he reiterated that he was extremely bullish and in no way was 1999 fiscal year a flop but a year of incredible penetration and with explosive projection. That's all I can recall for now. By the way, I e-mailed SNDT and they told me the annual shareholder meeting is December 17 at 10:00 am at the offices of the corporate legal counsel. I will be in attendance this year. Good luck and God Bless