Mainsoft^TM extends strategic relationship with Microsoft^TM

Leading provider of cross-platform solutions for the enterprise to offer enhanced computing capabilities for the Unix environment; New source code available for CAD/CAM and Visual Simulation markets

SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 22, 2000 - Mainsoft Corporation, the leader in cross-platform solutions for the enterprise, today announced expanded terms of their WISE agreement with Microsoft Corp. The WISE agreement, signed in 1998, provides Mainsoft access to source code for Windows NT including the recently released Windows 2000.  As part of the new terms, Mainsoft will receive additional source code for Windows to provide advanced graphical capabilities for industries, specifically the CAD/CAM and Visual Simulation markets, that require this functionality on Windows and Unix. Today's announcement underscores the two companies' commitment to cross-platform support of Windows-based applications through the Win32 APIs.

Mainsoft's receipt of additional source code for Windows will provide leading technology capabilities for developers who rely heavily on extensive graphics applications. Based on Extensible Scene Graph (XSG) technology, Mainsoft will enhance graphic technology applications on Unix for the CAD/CAM and Visual Simulation industries. As the first deliverable of the "Fahrenheit" initiative, Microsoft's XSG technology offers modeling capabilities to provide a higher level of programming for developers to create consumer and professional 3D applications. XSG provides high-level data structures and algorithms that increase overall graphics performance to assist the development of sophisticated graphics-rich applications.

"We're excited to continue to work closely with Mainsoft to deliver customers advanced graphics technology," said Jeffrey Friedberg, Graphics Program Manager at Microsoft. "Our collaboration will extend XSG functionality to customers who require the advanced graphics technology in a cross-platform environment. We are looking forward to joining forces with Mainsoft on projects for the CAD/CAM and Visual Simulation industries."

"Since 1994 when our relationship began with Microsoft, Mainsoft has delivered to the software development community a Windows platform for the Unix operating systems," said Yaacov Cohen, president of Mainsoft. "The availability of this new code launches the next logical stage in our alliance: into a new vertical category where we can offer our expertise to developers along with the Win32 APIs to work on Windows NT and port to Unix."

Through its relationship with Microsoft, Mainsoft has had access to the source code for Windows to provide a Windows platform for Unix, called MainWin. This is the leading technology infrastructure for Independent Software Vendors (ISV's) and IT professionals to re-host Windows NT-based applications onto the Unix and Linux platforms. By utilizing MainWin, companies have the power to develop software on the Windows NT platform and deploy it to several different operating environments simultaneously.

About MainWin

MainWin is Mainsoft's Windows platform for Unix systems including Linux. MainWin includes the implementation of Win32 APIs and Windows NT-based services on Unix. Through strategic agreements with Microsoft, Mainsoft has access to source code for Windows NT and Windows 2000. Mainsoft has incorporated several million lines of original source code for Windows NT into MainWin. This ensures that applications developed with C, C++ and Dynamic HTML for Windows will run on Unix as it does on Windows NT. To date, the company has deployed more than one million end-user licenses of MainWin. For example, some of the more leading business applications re-hosted to Unix and Linux with MainWin include: Microsoft Internet Explorer; Microsoft Outlook; Computer Associates' Unicenter; Alcatel's X-Vision Enterprise and Magic's Enterprise Edition V.8.

About Mainsoft Corporation

Mainsoft provides a Windows platform for Unix, including Linux. Its flagship product MainWin allows developers to create applications and deploy the software code to several different operating environments simultaneously.

Mainsoft's corporate headquarters is located in San Jose, California, with sales offices in Boston, Washington D.C., London and Israel. Mainsoft's customers include Fortune 1,000 companies including Independent Software Vendors (ISV's), corporate enterprise software developers, government agencies and OEMs. Founded in 1991, Mainsoft is a privately held company. In 1999, a strategic alliance was formed with Crystal Systems Solutions to leverage financial and synergistic business opportunities in the corporate IT marketplace.
For additional information on Mainsoft Corporation, call 408.544.1400 or visit their Web site at www.mainsoft.com.

About Crystal Systems Solutions

Established in 1987, Crystal Systems Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:CRYS ) provides software renovation solutions, based on its proprietary technology, for complex conversion and migration projects. Crystal's expertise is recognized globally which includes many prestigious Fortune 1000 companies. Crystal Systems Solutions is a member of the Formula Group (NASDAQ:FORTY ).
The Formula Group is an international information technology company principally engaged, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, in providing software consulting services developing proprietary software products, and providing computer-based solutions.

©2000 Mainsoft Corporation. Mainsoft and MainWin are registered trademarks of Mainsoft Corporation. All other products or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarked, registered, or copyrighted by their respective owners.