e-portalXpress.com Selected for IBM Pilot Program; Internet Sales Portal To Directly Distribute Software

Business Wire, March 13, 2000

Business Editors/Technology Writers

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2000

El Camino Resources Ltd.'s Internet-based vertical customer sales hub, e-portalXpress.com (EXP), will participate in an IBM pilot program focused on sales of selected software products to the AS/400 market via the World Wide Web.

The pilot will include IBM, Tivoli and Lotus products and will be directly available to customers, solution providers, ISVs, consultants and systems integrators.

According to Stan Krasnow, vice president of customer sales, IBM Software Group, "We want to make it easier for IBM customers to buy IBM, Lotus and Tivoli software on an after-market basis -- to empower the customer through customer self service.

"This initiative clearly demonstrates IBM's commitment to the AS/400 platform, as well as to expanding and simplifying the way AS/400 customers can add IBM software solutions," Krasnow commented.

Industry analysts have long praised IBM Middleware and Groupware Software for its respective functional richness and value pricing. For that reason, Butch Maxwell, of D.H. Andrews Group, spoke positively of the new IBM program, noting, "This clearly makes IBM more competitive and positions it to take a dominant role in the sale of after-market software and services."

e-portalXpress.com, a business unit of El Camino Resources, was launched as an Internet-based vertical sales hub, featuring portals sponsored by affiliate partners. These portals provide access to online catalogues of after-market software tools, utilities, enablers, middleware, workstation products, communications software, services, education and training.

"Your Home Page," available at each affiliate portal, allows an individual interface for buyers and sellers, and facilitates ordering, order status review and development of a profiling system.

"Your Home Page" also includes exclusive and customized offers from individual partners to IT managers and professionals. Discounts and a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy make e-portalXpress.com even more attractive to its customers.

Anthony Coppola, general manager of e-portalXpress.com, commented that the IBM pilot program fits well with EXP's strategy. "Our vision is to become a portal to the entire IBM midrange platform group, with expansion into Netfinity, RS/6000 and S/390 platforms later in this calendar year.

"Thanks to our expertise in the Internet as a channel, our familiarity with IBM products and platforms, our discounts, our staff and our philosophy of 'satisfaction guaranteed,' EXP will ride the crest of the wave for years to come."

Users wishing to obtain more information on EXP and its products and services are invited to log on to www.eportalXpress.com. Experienced telesales personnel are also available to assist with configurations, pricing and/or ordering.