Optio Software and Atos Origin Form Strategic Partnership to Deliver e-Business Infrastructure Solutions

Business Wire, Dec 4, 2000

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000

Partnership will deliver world-class collaborative

commerce solutions leveraging Optio's B2B information

customization and delivery product lines

Optio Software Inc. (NASDAQ: OPTO), a leading provider of e-business infrastructure software that enables organizations to communicate with 100 percent of their trading partners and systems, today announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Atos Origin.

Under the agreement, Atos Origin will provide implementation support for Optio's suite of intelligent output management solutions. The suite provides users with a non-disruptive way to customize, deliver and exchange information generated directly from enterprise, supply chain and CRM applications in support of e-collaboration initiatives. The alliance supports Optio's strategy to partner with leading global service organizations to deliver a comprehensive, best-of-breed solution.

Initially, the two companies will focus on several key markets in North America, including electronics and high technology. Atos Origin will create a core competency based on Optio's products and train key members of its consulting staff to deliver best-practice based solutions for information customization, delivery and exchange.

"We view Optio as a key component to completing our industry solution sets for the technology and electronics markets," said Rob Mol, Executive Vice President, Atos Origin. "The capability of delivering information customized to the requirements of the user in a variety of formats, including XML and EDI, is exactly what our customers need to support their participation in e-marketplaces and trading exchanges."

Optio taps directly into the data streams of enterprise, CRM and supply chain management applications, customizes it to specific needs of the user and delivers it to a global network of digital destinations - all without costly and time-consuming programming and without any disruption to core business processes.

"We are pleased to be working with Atos Origin," said C. Wayne Cape, president and chief executive officer at Optio. "Atos Origin brings us the strength, expertise and manpower necessary to implement our solutions to support corporate growth projections."

About Optio Software, Inc.

Optio Software, Inc. provides e-business infrastructure software that enables B2B integration and presentation of information across 100% of an organization's trading partners and systems. Optio's software improves the quality of an organization's communications with customers, suppliers, partners and employees by customizing, delivering and exchanging information over a global network of digital destinations.

Optio's products are being used to integrate diverse applications requiring high availability and throughput, as infrastructure for B2B commerce. In addition, Optio's solutions tailor the information from enterprise, e-business and legacy applications for delivery and exchange as XML, EDI, web content and customized documents according to individualized requirements. Optio's solutions are non-intrusive and can be deployed without modifying the software or the business processes that created the original information. Optio has more than 4,000 customers, including Delta Airlines, Dell Computer Corporation, Perrier, Schlumberger, Lucent Technologies and Avery Dennison. For more information contact Optio Software - Phone: (770) 576-3500, Fax: (770) 576-3699, E-Mail: info@optiosoftware.com, Corporate Headquarters: 3015 Windward Plaza, Windward Fairways II, Alpharetta, GA 30005, Web Site: http://www.optiosoftware.com.

About Atos Origin

Atos Origin is a leading provider of end-to-end information technology and e-business solutions and services that enable clients to turn their business objectives into value-driven results. The company's 27,000 employees deliver innovative solutions and strong industry experience to better manage the entire value network for companies, extended enterprises and e-communities. Atos Origin currently operates in 33 countries worldwide, with sales of $2.4 billion ($US) in 1999.

In North America, Atos Origin, previously know as Origin Technology in Business, operates out of eight main locations, including South Plainfield (NJ), Irvine (CA), Dallas (TX), Chicago (IL), Cincinnati (OH), Columbus (OH), Toronto and Mexico City. Customers include Lucent Technologies, NCR, Nortel, Philip Morris, Philips, Procter & Gamble, Shell, Unilever and others primarily in the high-tech electronics, chemical/pharmaceutical, discrete manufacturing and consumer packaged goods industries.

For more information, visit the company Web site at http://www.atosorigin.com or contact Lysianne Buie, Atos Origin, 416-798-1110 x4467, lysianne.buie@atosorigin.com or Betty Alexander, Xposure PR, 905-339-2209, betty@xposurepr.com