Hitachi Data Systems Selects webMethods for Strategic Business-to-Business Integration -B2bi- Initiatives

Business Wire, March 9, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2000

Hitachi Data Systems to Integrate Customers and Suppliers to Save Time

and Costs of Corporate Procurement

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM), a leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today announced that Hitachi Data Systems has selected webMethods B2B(TM) to integrate suppliers in an online trading exchange. Leveraging the open architecture of webMethods B2B, Hitachi Data Systems can successfully integrate their suppliers' computer systems with the company's mainframe architecture.

Through this initiative, Hitachi Data Systems' customers and suppliers can increase productivity and reduce procurement costs by linking their existing IT infrastructures over the Internet. All transactions will be automated, with orders placed on internal purchasing applications and submitted instantaneously across corporate firewalls to suppliers. To ensure all partners can seamlessly connect with the exchange, webMethods B2B supports all open standards and protocols of the Internet.

"Hitachi Data Systems clearly understands the value of business-to-business e-commerce," said Craig Chapman, vice president, Business Development for webMethods. "We are pleased that Hitachi Data Systems has selected webMethods to provide a key component of their mainframe business-to-business e-commerce initiatives. webMethods B2B enables Hitachi Data Systems to create tight connections with its customers and suppliers, saving them time and money by leveraging their existing legacy systems architectures."

"Hitachi Data Systems is dedicated to deploying a comprehensive business-to-business solution that will enable its customers and suppliers to save time and money by automating business transactions," said Regis Joly, vice president, Global Alliances for Hitachi Data Systems. "With its scalability and open architecture, webMethods B2B offers a superior integration solution to help us rapidly develop our business-to-business e-commerce initiatives."

webMethods provides a comprehensive solution that allows organizations to effectively realize their B2B e-commerce strategies. Through broad support of open standards and protocols, such as XML, RosettaNet, FpML, cXML, OBI, OAG, ACORD, Microsoft BizTalk and legacy EDI, webMethods B2B product family connects integrated business communities and enables companies to conduct business over the Internet with minimal stress to corporate resources and existing infrastructure.

About webMethods, Inc.

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM) is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). Leveraging the open standards of the Internet, the award-winning webMethods B2B(TM) family of products provides the B2Bi infrastructure enabling Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces to connect customers, suppliers and partners to form real-time B2B trading networks. webMethods B2B allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers and substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S. and Europe. webMethods has more than 130 customers worldwide--from Global 2000 leaders such as Dell, Eastman Chemical Company, Lucent and W.W. Grainger to major B2B marketplaces like e-STEEL and ChemConnect. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, KPMG, Microsoft, Sterling Commerce and SAP AG. More information about the company can be found at www.webMethods.com.

webMethods and webMethods B2B are trademarks of webMethods, Inc. All other company and product names are property of their respective owners.

This press release contains various remarks about the future expectations, plans and prospects of the Company that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results of the Company may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Company's recent Registration Statement on Form S-1, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.