Claris to Restructure as FileMaker, Inc.

In a surprise move, Apple Computer today announced in a press release that its Claris subsidiary will restructure to focus entirely on FileMaker Pro, its best-selling database for Macintosh and Windows. According to Claris, FileMaker is the most popular database on the Macintosh and the second most popular standalone database for Windows, accounting for $73 million in sales in 1997. The restructuring includes changing the name of the company to FileMaker, Inc., "divesting" of products other than the FileMaker Pro line, and laying off approximately 300 employees. As of 01-Feb-98, Apple will distribute all Apple-branded software, including Mac OS 8, and will continue to develop, distribute, and support ClarisWorks. A letter from Claris President Dominique Goupil also noted that the Claris Emailer, ClarisDraw, ClarisImpact, and Claris Organizer product lines will move to Apple. We don’t yet have any information about Claris Home Page.