Accelrys Content Reorganization: Frequently Asked Questions

CUSTOMER FAQs

Why is Accelrys Restructuring the Content Business?

We are restructuring the Content business to better align the Content group with the go-forward strategy of the company following the July 2010 merger withSymyx Technologies. This restructuring enables Accelrys to add further value to our software by strategically leveraging the components of our Content business that best fit with our strategy. With this decision, we will focus our resources on further development of our chemical sourcing databases and our high-value niche bioactivity databases, maintaining and expanding their integration with a broad range of solutions in the portfolio.

What products are being retired?

As part of the restructuring and realignment, we will be retiring several legacy Symyx Content products. Accelrys will be discontinuing its entire line of reaction databases, as well as the DiscoveryGate Classic platform. Specifically, the following products will be discontinued:

  • ChemInform Reaction Library (CIRX) – all platforms

  • Derwent Journal of Synthetic Methods (DJSM) – all platforms

  • Organic Synthesis – all platforms

  • Reference Library of Synthetic Methodology – all platforms

  • Solid-Phase Organic reactions (SPORE) – all platforms

  • SPRESI – all platforms

  • Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (CMC) via DiscoveryGate

  • MDDR via DiscoveryGate

  • Metabolite via DiscoveryGate

  • NCI – all platforms

  • Toxicity via DiscoveryGate
  • DiscoveryGate Classic (DG2.5)

When will these products be retired? The products will be officially retired on May 31, 2012. Accelrys is focused on making this transition as smooth as possible for customers of the discontinued products.

Will these products continue to be supported until the services conclude in 2012?

Yes. The discontinued products will be supported until the retirement date and customers can continue to contact Accelrys Customer Support should they need assistance.

Are the sourcing databases (ACD/SCD) going away in the future?

No. Accelrys Available Chemicals Directory (ACD) and Accelrys Screening Compounds Directory (SCD) remain cornerstones of the Accelrys Content portfolio, and we have no intention of retiring these products. The restructuring of the Content group enables Accelrys to focus resources on these key products, more closely aligning them with the product portfolio and enabling deeper integrations to create even more value for customers of these and other Accelrys solutions.

What Content products will remain as part of the Accelrys portfolio?

The following products will remain:

  • Available Chemicals Directory (ACD & CPI)

  • Screening Compounds Directory (SCD)
  • ChemSeek
  • Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (CMC, in partnership with Elsevier)

  • MDDR (in partnership with Thomson Reuters)

  • Metabolite

  • Toxicity
  • RTECS
  • DiscoveryGate for ACD/SCD (

How do customers benefit from this restructuring?

This restructuring allows Accelrys to focus onfurther development of the products and services that deliver the most value to our customers andare best aligned with our strategy, enabling better integration of those products with other solutions in the portfolio.

Will customers of retired products get acredit?

We have chosen the May 31, 2012 retirement date so that customers will be able to access their subscriptions for the duration of their existing contracts. Any renewal contracts will be appropriately prorated so that customers will not require refunds. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact your sales representative.

How will the databases enhance the software offering?

Accelrys is focused on moving high-value content into the scientists’ workflows. For example, Accelrys already offers a direct link between the materials table in the Symyx Notebook by Accelrys and property data in ACD and ChemSeek. All of our databases can be searched and browsed with the Isentris client. And Pipeline Pilot can reach out to access our databases as data sources. Having the data scientists need when and where they need it is critical for the rapid and accurate advancement of science. Stand-alone database search systems no longer are sufficient. We intend to continue to look for ways to bring valuable content into the workflow as required by scientists, whether that content originates with us or with our valued partners or our customers.

Can customers continue to use the databases once their contract runs out?

The databases are licensed on an annual subscription basis. All of the discontinued databases are owned by partner organizations. Consequently, we cannot offer perpetual rights to the data after your contracts expire. We are working closely with our partners to explore alternative access options. Should such arrangements become available, we will inform customers of those options.

Accelrys Content Business Restructuring FAQ - 4/26/2011Page 1