webMethods Deploys Business-to-Business Integration Solution for Envera

Business Wire, Nov 6, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2000

webMethods B2B Powers Business Transactions for Chemical and

Petroleum Companies Connected to the Envera Clearinghouse

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today announced Envera has implemented webMethods B2B(TM) as the underlying software infrastructure for integrating trading partners with the Envera clearinghouse network of systems and services. Envera is the first active eBusiness for business (eB4B) network, providing speed and efficiency for electronic business transactions in the chemical and petroleum industries.

Envera has leveraged webMethods B2B to build a seamless, real-time trading network where trading partners including, Lyondell Chemical Company, Lubrizol Corporation, Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) and Solutia Incorporated, can facilitate their business transactions using a secure, bi-directional B2Bi platform. With webMethods B2B, Envera has created seamless links for exchanging purchase orders, order acknowledgement, shipment notification, receipt notification, invoicing and change order processes between trading partners' back-end ERP systems including SAP, Baan, Oracle, JD Edwards and legacy systems, among others, and the Oracle database running at the Envera hub. The speed and efficiency with which webMethods has integrated trading partners with the clearinghouse has enabled Envera to provide members with a solution that improves business processes, increases revenues and lowers operating costs.

"With a series of successes working with companies in the chemical and petroleum industry, webMethods clearly provides the best and most flexible business-to-business integration solution for seamlessly connecting trading partners with real-time, collaborative B2B marketplaces," said Mike Giesler, chief technology officer of Envera. "Our trusted work with webMethods is allowing us to bridge the gap from the old economy to the new and Envera members are overcoming process inefficiency challenges that once seemed too daunting to tackle."

Envera is a neutral, industry-driven network that facilitates a full range of business transactions and services. With equity membership in Envera that remains open to any interested industry player, the company has established an unbiased industry consortium. Its use of technology enables trading members to exchange transactional data using their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Each member uses the Envera engine to transact and communicate with his or her trading partners.

Key to the success of Envera was configuring the hub so that any trading partner, regardless of the type of back-end systems already in place, could quickly and easily connect to the clearinghouse. This entailed working with webMethods to implement a B2Bi solution that supports multiple industry standards and protocols.

"In the chemical industry, where companies are forging new alliances and embracing new business models, it is now more critical than ever to implement a business-to-business integration solution that will stand the test of time and allow companies with different business processes and technology standards to come together and thrive in the new economy," said Charles Allen, webMethods' vice president, Industry Solutions. "Envera's successful implementation of their eB4B solution has enabled leading chemical companies to achieve a new level of success and realize the enormous potential of automating critical business processes and establishing real-time, interactive communication with key trading partners."

Envera's second phase will roll out January 2001, and will include value-added services such as carrier connectivity, freight forward connectivity, supplier-managed inventory, inbound freight monitoring and rail fleet management. Throughout 2001, Envera will continue to incorporate enhancement services such as international logistics, collaborative forecasting and planning and distributor connectivity.

About Envera

Envera is a trusted e-Business solutions provider that improves members' supply-chain communications and fosters business growth in the chemical and petroleum industries. Visit Envera at its Web site at or call 1-888-ENVERA1.

About webMethods, Inc.

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM) is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). As the only company providing seamless B2Bi across the Internet and throughout the extended enterprise, webMethods provides Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces with a complete, end-to-end solution for integrating customers, suppliers and partners into real-time B2B trading networks, while also increasing internal operational efficiencies. The webMethods product family allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers, substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies and streamline internal business processes.