Versant Object Database - EJB 3.0 Preview, Improved Server-Side Ad Hoc Query, Increased Scalability and Performance

Versant Corporation (NASDAQ: VSNTD), an industry leader in specialized data management and data persistence software, today announced shipment of Versant Object Database 7.0, with ANSI standard C++ compliance and preview support for the new industry-standard interface Enterprise Java Bean (EJB) 3.0 persistence. Other new features are improved server-side ad hoc query as well as improvements in performance, scalability, and reliability. Version 7.0 offers the query language JDOQL and a preview of the upcoming EJB 3.0 application programming interface. Object databases are perfectly suited for storing data from objects that have hierarchical and recursive structures, and/or deep inheritance hierarchies. The Versant Object Database is used worldwide in a variety of mission critical applications, particularly in telecom, defense, transportation, finance, simulation, and knowledge management.

“The use of object-oriented techniques has become mainstream,” said Robert Greene, vice president of product strategy at Versant. “And with it, there has only recently been a standardization of how to relate object-oriented programs and relational storage systems. Instead of thinking in SQL to solve business problems, programmers will increasingly think in terms of objects. The Versant database leverages the new EJB standards and the new thinking to offer easy performance upgrades to applications written in this style. These forces are moving the Versant Object Database toward the mainstream of application development.”

“Versant Object Database 7.0 is a foundation of the future growth of Versant”, said Jochen Witte, chief executive officer of Versant. “The architectural forces that led customers such as Borland, British Airways, Factiva, Lucent, MCI, Oracle, Sabre, Siemens, and others to choose Versant are coming more broadly into play, and will help Versant grow its business with Versant Object Database 7.0.”

About Versant Corporation

Versant Corporation (NASDAQ: VSNT) is an industry leader in specialized data management software. Using Versant's solutions, customers cut hardware costs, speed and simplify development, significantly reduce administration costs, and deliver products with a strong competitive edge. Versant’s solutions are deployed in a wide array of industries including telecommunications, financial services, transportation, manufacturing, and defense. With over 50,000 installations, Versant has been a highly reliable partner for over 15 years for Global 2000 companies such as British Airways, US Government, Financial Times, IBM, and MCI. For more information, call 510-789-1500.

Forward-Looking Statements Involve Risks and Uncertainties

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the release of the beta version of Versant Object Database 7.0. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the level of market acceptance of Versant Object Database 7.0, the possibility that substantial product refinements may be necessary including the possibilities of inherent bugs and errors, that users may not achieve the anticipated results and may experience unforeseen problems, the risk that customers will not perceive material benefits from this new version and the risk that the product may fail to deliver the expected functionality. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Versant is either a registered trademark or trademark of Versant Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other products are a registered trademark or trademark of their respective company in the United States and/or other countries.