Comercis, IBM NUMA-Q, Compaq, Electric Lightwave and RCG Information Technology Launch New ASP Architecture: Connection ASP

Business Wire, Oct 6, 1999

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1999--

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Leading online trade community builder Comercis, soon to be merged with NewGold, Inc. (NASDAQ OTC/BB: NGLD) today announced a new solution with IBM NUMA-Q, Electric Lightwave, RCG Information Technology, and Compaq, aimed at giving the small to midsize business market a greatly improved application and hosting platform.

This alliance, called Connection ASP, creates a new solution based on a two-tier architecture that allows users to utilize either a single operating system or the seamless operation of both UNIX and Windows NT, running simultaneously. The newly created platform is capable of running Windows NT and UNIX seamlessly through the IBM NUMACenter system to meet the unique transactional needs and redundant nature of the market. This new platform also includes Compaq's DISA architecture for building scalable, highly available Internet applications and hosting functional and operational business needs.

Connection ASP does not limit any business to a specific proprietary architecture or platform that is in existence today. This flexibility provides a solution that enables users to choose the functionality that meets their specific business needs no matter what size the business.

"For the small business, this exciting launch provides the freedom to use the operating system and Internet application solution, such as the Comercis Business Office Suite to better suit their need," said Chris Meaux, CEO of Comercis. "We can deliver a scalable and flexible applications service platform that can grow with a business, and the service level agreement - packet delivery, response time, and guaranteed uptime needed to be a strong, reliable resource in any small to mid-size business' day to day operations," he added.

Jeff Pancottine, VP of Worldwide Marketing for IBM NUMA-Q Brand said, "The ability to run Windows NT in the data center was a critical requirement for Comercis to meet the high demand for hosted applications that run under Windows NT. At the same time, Comercis needed a robust back-end solution that runs Unix. IBM NUMACenter integrates both operating systems onto a single managed platform, reducing the complexity and choice of operating system for Comercis customers - mid-size and small businesses. Connection ASP will run its applications on IBM NUMACenter."

RCG Information Technology will provide e-business consulting, application development, implementation and outsourcing services in this Strategic Alliance.

Robert Simplot, President and CEO of RCG Information Technology endorsed the alliance saying, " As an information technology consulting company, we are pleased to add this alliance to our portfolio of technology based solutions. Our employees work with small and mid-sized businesses in addition to the Fortune 1000, so we know first hand the value that this partnered solution will bring to many of our clients."

Electric Lightwave, one of the nation's top five Internet backbone providers, will provide fast and reliable Internet connectivity for the various platform solutions. Electric Lightwave's president and chief operating officer, Dave Sharkey said, "We believe this alliance enhances our ability to provide a complete applications solution for our customers. Each company in this alliance brings a unique set of capabilities so that our customers can successfully conduct business transactions over the Internet."

"Application hosting is a new, fast-paced, and challenging market. Comercis needed a server platform that could grow with us and provide seamless interoperability with the highest levels of performance and uptime," said Meaux. "Compaq's ProLiant web servers and DISA architecture fulfills these needs and helps us to provide the best possible service to our customers."

"Compaq is excited that Comercis chose our industry leading ProLiant server platform utilizing our DISA architecture," said Ray Villareal, Vice President of North America Enterprise Solutions and Services, Compaq Computer Corporation. "Application hosting is one of the fastest growing areas of eBusiness. Comercis' choice shows that Compaq's NonStop(r) eBusiness strategy continues to win through the power, scalability, reliability, and availability of ProLiant servers."

This announcement was made at Fall Internet World, in New York City.

About Comercis

Comercis, formerly BusinessWeb, Inc., and soon to be merged with NewGold, Inc., (OTC/BB: NGLD), is focused on providing Internet services and products to unite communities in commerce. Comercis' Web-based business-to-business vertical trade communities enable members to rapidly conduct business with customers, peers and vendors and to cost-effectively and seamlessly initiate intranet and extranet commerce. Communities include the medical, dental, petrochemical, computer, consumer electronic and automotive industries, with alliances with such organizations as the Southern Association of Orthodontists and Rux Resources, Inc. With BusinessWebNow and Cybermovers.net, Comercis provides businesses with start-to-finish knowledge and understanding of how to design, create and maintain individual Web sites. Comercis' Cybermovers service is the preferred move-in service for Netopia (NASDAQ: NTPA) Virtual Office (NVO) Web site owners. The service is available where NVO is featured on the Netscape Small Business Center, the Intuit Small Business Smart Buyers Guide as well as . Further information is available at or toll free via phone at (877) 424-9932.