Aster Data Systems Named "Cool Vendor" by Leading Analyst Firm

SAN CARLOS, CA, Mar 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
Aster Data Systems, a proven leader dedicated to providing the best
analytic database for frontline data warehousing, today announced that it
has been included in the list of "Cool Vendors" in the Cool Vendors in
Data Management and Integration, 2009(1) report by Gartner, Inc. Vendors
were selected for their "innovative approaches and technologies for
improving the scalability of databases and data warehouses, introducing
new optimization techniques, integrating data for delivery to software as
a service (SaaS)-based applications, and ensuring the integrity of data
across applications and data structures."

The report observes that organizations "Recognize that data warehouse
environments that are constrained in terms of performance might benefit
from distributing parts of their workload (such as analytic applications)
to alternative DBMS solutions that hold the promise of lower costs and
greater efficiency." It goes on to recommend that clients "Explore
alternative DBMS technologies and metadata management techniques for
addressing workload scalability challenges in certain types of data
warehouse activity, such as mission-critical front-line operations."

"It is an honor to be included in the Gartner Cool Vendors list. We are
strongly motivated to help our customers improve business performance by
leveraging massive amounts of data at the frontlines of business," said
Mayank Bawa, CEO of Aster Data Systems. "We believe this recognition is a
testament to the strength and vision of our product, and our ability to
deliver the best analytic database to power the next generation of data
warehouses for companies using 'big data' to stay ahead of their
competition."

In addition to the Cool Vendor selection, Aster has recently been named an
AlwaysOn OnMedia Top 100 company, and a Top 10 Software Company by Silicon
India.

About Aster Data Systems

Aster Data Systems is a proven leader in high-performance analytic
database systems for frontline data warehousing -- bringing deep insights
on data analyzed on clusters of low-cost commodity hardware. The Aster
nCluster database cost-effectively powers frontline analytic applications
for companies such as MySpace, aCerno (an Akamai company), and ShareThis.
Running on low-cost off-the-shelf hardware, and providing 'hands-free'
administration, Aster enables enterprises to meet their data warehousing
needs within their budget. Aster is headquartered in San Carlos,
California and is backed by Sequoia Capital, JAFCO Ventures, IVP,
Cambrian Ventures, and First Round Capital, as well as industry
visionaries including David Cheriton, Rajeev Motwani and Ron Conway. For
more information please visit http://www.asterdata.com, or call
650-232-4400.

Aster Data Systems, Aster nCluster and the Aster logo are registered
trademarks of Aster Data Systems. All other brands and trademarks
referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.

Cool Vendor Disclaimer

About Gartner's Cool Vendors Selection Process

Gartner's listing does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any
given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting,
new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including
any warranties of merchantability or fitness of a particular purpose.

Gartner defines a cool vendor as a company that offers technologies or
solutions that are: Innovative, enable users to do things they couldn't do
before; Impactful, have, or will have, business impact (not just
technology for the sake of technology); Intriguing, have caught Gartner's
interest or curiosity in approximately the past six months.

(1) Gartner "Cool Vendors in Data Management and Integration, 2009" by
Eric Thoo, Donald Feinberg, Ted Friedman, Mark A. Beyer, March 13, 2009.

Press Contact:
Zenobia Godschalk
ZAG Communications for Aster Data Systems
678.799.8279
zenobia@zagcommunications.com

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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