Puget Sound Energy, Inc. to Implement ConneXt Customer Information System, ConsumerLinX

Business Wire, August 2, 1999

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999--

ConneXt's Customer Information System, ConsumerLinxTM to be

Implemented with Assistance from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Puget Sound Energy, Inc. of Bellevue, Wash., has chosen the ConsumerLinX Customer Information System from ConneXt(R) Inc. (http://www.connext.com), a leading developer of billing systems and customer management data capabilities for energy utilities, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the international professional services organization, as system integrator to implement the ConsumerLinX system.

Under this agreement PricewaterhouseCoopers will provide technical and consulting services to Puget Sound Energy, to implement the ConsumerLinX product which will support the data for the utility's 1.4 million natural gas and electric customer accounts. ConsumerLinX was designed specifically for the energy industry.

"As the utility industry restructures, Puget Sound Energy is seeking a powerful and flexible customer information system to manage third-party relationships, streamline operations and reduce overhead costs to provide us a competitive edge," said Gary B. Swofford, Puget Sound Energy's Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Delivery. "Our chosen solution will assist us to provide a new level of billing and account services for our customers without enduring prolonged, expensive software conversions," continued Swofford. "The ConsumerLinX product provides accurate, reliable billing our customers expect while giving our company data capabilities to expand and stay on top of providing new services such as real-time energy pricing."

"We're extremely pleased that Puget Sound Energy has selected ConsumerLinX," said Bob Dryden, ConneXt president and CEO. "We are totally committed to the delivery phase of Puget Sound Energy's customer centric CIS solution, as it is a key step in moving forward to deliver our world class solution to the market."

About ConneXt, Inc.

ConneXt is a Seattle-based software company that connects energy providers to customers. ConneXt designs, develops and delivers world-class software solutions capable of managing the energy industry's information systems and customer relationships for utilities). Products include ConsumerLinX, a large-scale customer information system, and Tellus, a comprehensive suite of distribution, design, and outage management tools.

ConneXt's current customers include Carolina Power & Light, Duke Power, Pacific Gas & Electric, Puget Sound Energy, and other major North American utility distribution companies.

About Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy (NYSE:PSD) is Washington state's largest energy utility, delivering electric and natural gas service to more than 1.2 million customers, primarily in the state's Puget Sound region. Puget Sound Energy has 3,000 employees and $1.9 billion in operating revenues (12/98 data).