Ascending Technologies acquires TrapEase - Great Product finds new home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASCENDING TECHNOLOGIES ACQUIRES TRAPEASE - GREAT PRODUCT FINDS NEW HOME

CHICAGO, IL -- August 11, 2002 -- Ascending Technologies today announced the acquisition of TrapEase, the unique tool for trapping and displaying errors in FileMaker Pro databases, from its original author, David A. Knight.

"We're very excited about this acquisition," said Steve Abrahamson, Ascending Technologies' founder and author of the popular Monster family of products. "TrapEase fits in well with our product strategy looking forward, and we're delighted to be the new home for this innovative product."

TrapEase simplifies error trapping by automatically evaluating errors and displaying the appropriate error message. It provides the developer with an easy-to-use interface that assists in presenting customized error messages based on each error type. Developers can control alert icons, system beeps, message text and course of action for any error a user encounters.

TrapEase integrates easily with any FileMaker Pro database, version 5 or higher, and typically requires minimal setup time. It is built entirely in FileMaker Pro, requiring no additional software or plug ins.

TrapEase is available for sale starting today at Ascending Technologies' web site (www.asctech.com). Currently in it's original form, in the next few months it will be updated and redesigned to make it more powerful, more flexible, and even easier to work with. It will also receive re-branding as one of Ascending Technologies' core products.

"There will be interface changes [in the new version], to be sure," said Abrahamson, "but that's not all. We've got some great ideas - David has given us his ideas for future features, and we've got some of our own. David started a great product with TrapEase; the new version will be really, really great."

Said David A. Knight, the new Director of the Los Angeles office of The Support Group, Inc., "I'm quite pleased to have sold TrapEase to the folks at Ascending Technologies. It frees me up to concentrate on my current focus, which is my new position here at The Support Group. But I couldn't be happier in an acquisition partner: I think they're the perfect player to take TrapEase into new places. I enjoy knowing that TrapEase has a good home."

TrapEase is $89 and is available immediately at Ascending Technologies' web site at http://www.asctech.com. Ascending Technologies is a developer of custom solutions and the proud developer of the Monster family of products, including PerformanceMonster, ThemeMonster, and the widely acclaimed flagship product, CalendarMonster. The Support Group is a Partner Member of the FileMaker Solutions Alliance and a provider of custom solutions in FileMaker Pro.

Contact: Steve Abrahamson

© 2002 Ascending Technologies. All rights reserved. Ascending Technologies, the Ascending Technologies logo, CalendarMonster, ThemeMonster, PerformanceMonster and TrapEase are trademarks or registered trademarks of Ascending Technologies. FileMaker Pro is a registered trademark of FileMaker Inc. For more information about Ascending Technologies' abilities and products, please visit http://www.asctech.com.