Hitachi Data Systems and webMethods Form Strategic Alliance to Bring B2B E-commerce to the Mainframe

Business Wire, May 2, 2000

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)

May 2, 2000

Companies to Offer Advanced E-business Exchange Solutions

Connecting Suppliers and Customers

Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), and webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today announced an alliance under which Hitachi Data Systems will exclusively offer webMethods B2B(TM) as the software infrastructure solution for all of its B2B e-commerce initiatives.

Under this partnership, Hitachi Data Systems will leverage webMethods B2B's open architecture by integrating applications from suppliers' computer systems with Hitachi products and solutions as part of Hitachi Data Systems' Infrastructure Solutions Suite (iSuite(TM)). iSuite is a comprehensive set of solutions designed to address key e-business concerns such as transaction, system, and network-level security, mainframe economies of scale, unlimited scalability, and non-stop access to business-critical data.

As a part of the agreement, Hitachi Data Systems will resell webMethods B2B and leverage the power of the Internet to cost-effectively link businesses with their customers, suppliers, and other constituents in an online trading exchange. In addition, Hitachi Data Systems has worked with webMethods to develop a B2B solution that runs on the S/390(R) mainframe platform. The webMethods B2Bi solution allows transactions between the exchange partners to be submitted instantaneously across existing system architectures, saving partners both time and money.

Under the terms of the reseller agreement, Hitachi Data Systems will exclusively offer the webMethods software solution to its customers for use with their e-commerce initiatives. Hitachi Data Systems will be able to provide customers with a complete B2B solution including software, integration services, and hardware.

"The agreement between Hitachi Data Systems and webMethods provides customers with the ability to create new revenue streams, increase return on investments, and strengthen relationships by linking customers with their suppliers," said Dr. Jun Naruse, CEO of Hitachi Data Systems. "Furthermore, the development of this partnership underscores Hitachi Data Systems' commitment to assisting customers as they transform their information technology into business success."

As e-commerce and enterprise application integration have become increasingly critical issues facing CIOs in today's fast-paced market, companies are counting on the Internet as a solution for seamlessly linking together legacy system architectures of customers, suppliers, and business partners. Through the webMethods-Hitachi Data Systems relationship, clients can leverage the massive investments they have made in their existing enterprise environments, while continuing to develop new technologies to automate business transactions and communicate with customers in real-time.

"Companies with heavy investments in existing enterprise architectures look for business-to-business e-commerce solutions that will help them establish tight linkages with their customers, suppliers, and partners," said Phillip Merrick, President and CEO of webMethods. "The partnership announced today leverages the complementary strengths of Hitachi Data Systems and webMethods, and provides webMethods an entrance into the S/390-compatible mainframe marketplace. This partnership brings to the mainframe the most secure, open solution for seamless business-to-business integration via the Internet."

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, the webMethods B2B family of products provides the critical B2B integration software that enables companies to form powerful trading networks with customers, suppliers, and partners. With webMethods B2B, companies can conduct business-to-business over the Internet with minimal stress to corporate resources and existing technology 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 that enables 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 ChemConnect, e-STEEL, and Ventro. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Commerce One, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, KPMG, Microsoft, Sterling Commerce, and SAP AG. More information about the company can be found at www.webMethods.com.