Ex-IBM Official Given Ashton-Tate VP Post

Seeking to extend its diversification efforts, Ashton-Tate Corp. has appointed former IBM executive William P. Lyons vice president of a new division devoted exclusively to developing and marketing software for the IBM personal computer.

Before joining the Torrance-based company, Lyons, 44, spent 19 years at IBM, most recently as software marketing vice president. At Ashton-Tate, Lyons will oversee development and sales of all software products used by IBM personal computers and compatible models, with the exception of Ashton-Tate’s top-selling program, dBase.

Analysts said Lyons’ appointment should strengthen the company’s efforts to reduce its revenue reliance on dBase, the database management program that launched the company in 1980 and that currently accounts for about 60% of the company’s sales.

“It’s reassuring to see Ashton-Tate bring on someone of this stature,” said William Shattuck, an analyst with Montgomery Securities, a San Francisco brokerage. “This should help the company shed its reputation for not having much of an internal development capability.”

Lyons will initially be responsible for a variety of software programs operating on the IBM personal computer, including MultiMate Advantage II, Framework III, Master Graphics, and Draw Applause. A comparable division has been established to handle the company’s software for the Apple Computer product line.

Lyons, who is working in the company’s satellite offices in Connecticut, will report directly to President and Chief Operating Officer Luther J. Nussbaum.