Synopsys Announces the World's First Desktop Chemical/Relational Database:
Accord for Microsoft Access

August 9, 1995 -- Synopsys Scientific Systems Ltd. today announced an
innovative, new Accord add-in to the Microsoft Access desktop relational
database. Accord for Access combines the chemical sophistication of Accord
with the power and ease-of-use of Microsoft Access. Now, for the first
time, Accord provides scientists with a full range of chemical facilities
to manage, analyse and search chemistry and associated data directly
within Microsoft's popular desktop relational database environment.

Accord for Access is chemical, relational, multi-user and fast, making it
the ideal tool for stand-alone and project-level chemical database
applications alike. Because Accord enables Access to understand chemistry
the way chemists do - using the language of structural diagrams - its
intuitive and easy to use. Based on an open systems architecture and
utilising OLE 2.0 integration standards, Accord for Access provides a new,
innovative approach to meeting the chemical data handling needs of
end-user chemists and IT professionals.

The Accord toolbar in Access provides users with simple and intuitive
'point-and-click' access to Accord's chemical facilities. Because Accord
seamlessly integrates with Access' industry-standard relational database
environment, training and support costs are minimal as compared to other,
proprietary chemical software systems. Accord for Access includes a
comprehensive user guide, context-sensitive help and a number of worked
examples on which users can base their own application solutions.

With Accord for Access, databases containing tens of thousands of chemical
structures can be typically searched by substructure in seconds on a
standard desktop PC. New, improved indexing techniques allow Accord's
chemical search engine to process queries in record time. This, combined
with its use within a multi-user, relational environment is set to make
Accord for Access the desktop chemical database software of choice for
fine-chemical and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Accord's chemical search engine is fully integrated into Access, allowing
both chemical and nonchemical data queries to be phrased in a single SQL
string. Complementing Microsoft Access' own Query-By-Example interface,
Accord provides three additional querying tools. 'Query By Form' allows a
user' s form to be used to generate a Select query, 'Find Chemistry'
locates records that match a specific query structure and an 'SQL Query
Builder' enables more complex queries to be defined.

Users of desktop chemical editors, such as ChemDraw, ISIS/Draw and
ChemWindow, can immediately benefit from full cut & paste compatibility
with Accord for Access. Chemical data, stored in 3rd-party database
systems, such as MACCS and UNITY, can easily be imported into Accord for
Access with chemical meaning retained. Similarly, individual structures or
whole chemical data tables can be imported and exported in a variety of
standard formats, such as SD, SMD and SMILES. In addition, hitsets of
interest can be transferred to Synopsys' chemical spreadsheet, Accord for
Microsoft Excel, at the touch of a button.

Dr. Glen Hopkinson, Managing Director at Synopsys, commented: "The Accord
for Access chemical database add-in complements and extends the native
capabilities of Microsoft Access. Because Accord for Access is the world'
s first desktop chemical/relational database solution, it opens up a whole
host of exciting application areas that flat-file systems haven' t
previously been able to address . For example, one of our test sites
developed an application linking together biological test results stored
in Oracle, analytical data stored in their LIMS system and structures
stored in Accord."

Development of Accord for Access has been facilitated by Synopsys' status
as a Microsoft Solution Provider. A Microsoft spokesperson commented:
"Microsoft is working closely with Solution Providers, such as Synopsys,
to enable value-added solutions, that utilise Microsoft core technology,
to be brought to market. Synopsys Accord provides Microsoft Office users
with the specific capabilities that they require to store, search and
visualise chemical structures and associated data."

Accord for Access is fully OLE 2.0 compliant. Linking an Accord OLE
Chemistry Object on a form or report to an Accord Chemistry Table enables
chemistry stored in a database to be displayed or printed in publication
quality. Chemical properties, such as molecular weight and percentage
composition, can also be displayed for database entries as a user
navigates a record set.

With the Accord for Access add-in, a prototype chemical database
application can be configured for use in a matter of minutes, using simple
point-and click and drag-and-drop operations. Power users can also call
Accord functions from within Access Basic, to put the finishing touches to
an application. In addition, application developers can take advantage of
the ability of Access to link to a wide range of relational databases,
either locally or over a network, to create client-server applications
that are chemically aware.

Compatibility

Accord for Access is compatible with Microsoft Access 2.0 or higher and
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher. Standard chemical editors, such as
ChemDraw, ChemWindow and ISIS/Draw, can be used to enter and modify
structures and queries. Accord for Access is fully compatible with the
Accord Software Development Kit (SDK), Accord for Microsoft Excel and
Accord Visual Objects (e.g. the Accord VBX).

Accord for Access - Availability & Pricing

Version 1.0 of Accord for Microsoft Access is scheduled for general release
in mid-September. The introductory price is 625 BPS ($895 in the USA); a
40% discount is available to academics.

Synopsys Scientific Systems is a leading provider of computerised
scientific information products and services to the Fine Chemical and
Pharmaceutical Industry. Synopsys 'flagship Accord software range is used
worldwide by scientists to transform raw chemical data into useful
information.

Synopsys Scientific Systems Ltd
175 Woodhouse Lane
Leeds LS2 3AR
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44(0)113 245 3339
Facsimile: +44(0)113 243 8733
Internet: sales@synopsys.co.uk
 
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