Progress(R) DataDirect Connect(R) for ADO.NET Release 3.3 Includes Entity Framework Support and New Usability Features to Accelerate Application Development

BEDFORD, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/17/09 -- Progress DataDirect, the data infrastructure division of Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS) and provider of premium, vendor-independent data access and integration technologies for all major data sources, platforms or operating environments, today announced the general availability of version 3.3 of its Progress® DataDirect Connect® for ADO.NET data providers featuring Entity Framework support for Oracle.

The introduction of DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET Entity Framework provider for Oracle provides software developers and architects with fully featured design to boost success with the Entity Framework. Like its predecessors before, version 3.3 of the Progress DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET product has raised the bar for superior performance, security and interoperability. Using 100 percent managed-code architecture, DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET eliminates the need for Oracle database client libraries -- both instant and client. Because managed code runs in the Common Language Runtime (CLR) environment, it reduces risks such as memory leaks and closes security holes that unmanaged code leaves exposed, providing developers secure, reliable and versatile deployment options available in both application and client-server environments. This allows software developers and architects to avoid the versioning headaches associated with the ODP.NET provider and the multiple versions of the Oracle client libraries and databases used throughout the enterprise.

"Progress DataDirect is a valued partner that Microsoft customers often turn to for data providers," said Lance Olson, group program manager for Data Frameworks at Microsoft Corp. "We are pleased to see DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET Entity Framework provider for Oracle available to customers who count on Microsoft to deliver ADO.NET Entity Framework as a comprehensive and flexible data platform for their applications."

Offering support for LINQ to Entities, EntitySQL and ADO.NET Data Services, the Progress DataDirect data provider exposes Oracle data sources to the complete functionality of the ADO.NET Entity Framework using any application development technology. With its deep rooted, technical relationships with all major database and platform vendors, Progress DataDirect ensures its data connectivity products support the latest provider features and database versions.