Progress Software Aspen Member, Bac-Tech Systems, Deploys Advanced EDI Solution to Peregrine Outfitters

Business Wire, Nov 7, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2000

Leading Outdoor Distributor Benefits from ASP Version of

Electronic Data Interchange Model

Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS) a leading supplier of technology for building E-Business solutions, today announced an Application Service Provider (ASP) customer success through Bac-Tech Systems Inc., a leading provider of electronic data interchange solutions and a partner in Progress Software's ASPEN(TM) Program. Through the ASPEN Program, Bac-Tech has deployed its Vision EDI(TM) application to Peregrine Outfitters, a leading supplier of outdoor equipment, merchandise and apparel.

Bac-Tech hosts a sophisticated Progress(R)-based electronic data interchange solution via the ASP model. Bac-Tech's application, Vision EDI, features a graphical user interface (GUI) and familiar "point-and-click" technology, and provides bi-directional translations between the inputs and outputs of existing applications and appropriate EDI documents.

"Bac-Tech's success in using the ASP model to make EDI accessible to new customers, validates the strength of Progress Software's ASPEN program. ASPEN is providing independent software vendors (ISVs), such as Bac-Tech, with the business resources and technology they need to cost-effectively ASP-enable their applications," said Robert Palumbo, vice president of ASP Business Development for Progress Software. "By offering its applications via subscription, Bac-Tech is now able to tap into a wide array of industries to generate incremental revenue for its leading-edge EDI solutions."

"The ASPEN Program has given Bac-Tech the tools it needs to offer its EDI products to a broader customer base," said Robert Bacchi, founder and president of Bac-Tech. "By working with Progress Software, we've been able to customize our EDI solution to meet the needs of our customers."

Peregrine Outfitters: The ASP Model at Work

Peregrine is a leading supplier of outdoor equipment, accessories and apparel, and keeps an inventory of more than 6,000 items. The 12-year-old company processes up to 250 orders per day, 45 percent via phone, 45 percent via fax, and 10 percent electronically. With the help of Bac-Tech, Peregrine Outfitters has employed the Vision EDI solution to help manage the complexities generated by their larger quantity customers.

"The Progress-based EDI model is allowing us to process our orders quickly and more efficiently," said Bob Olsen, President of Peregrine Outfitters. "EDI is traditionally a very complex component of a company's ERP system; however, Progress and Bac-Tech have given us the technology and service necessary for a company our size to implement a top-tier solution."

A channel pioneer, Progress Software has long been recognized for its ability to give ISVs the technology and services they need to meet the rigorous requirements of middle market, resource-constrained environments and to deliver industry-specific solutions more quickly, more tightly integrated and at a low total cost of ownership. With its strategy, the company is now at the forefront of the ASP market, providing an established infrastructure for bringing 2,000 ISVs and their more than 5,000 Progress-based applications to this new distribution channel.

Bac-Tech Systems recognized the value of joining Progress Software's ASPEN Program, which helps ISVs quickly and easily transform Progress-based applications into ASP-enabled applications. These new applications, available on a subscription basis and accessed over the Internet rather than purchased, allow organizations to more quickly and economically gain access to application functionality previously unavailable to them. ASP-enabled applications reduce traditional IT infrastructure costs because they are developed and maintained by service providers rather than an internal IT staff.

Progress Software's ASPEN Program now boasts a worldwide membership of more than 150 partners, from 20 different countries around the world, representing the leading-edge of the ASP wave and the world's largest network of ASPs and related strategic partners. The program consists of more than 60,000 end-user seats including organizations such as General Mills and Beirsdorf that rely on Progress-based ASP applications for improved profitability and competitive advantage. For more information about the ASPEN Program please visit www.ASPconnections.com.

About Bac-Tech

Bac-Tech Systems Inc. was established in 1981 as a total integration and custom software provider to manufacturing, distribution, brokerage and commercial businesses as well as local, state and federal government agencies. Bac-Tech maintains a close relationship with several large manufacturers and database suppliers for the resale of hardware, imaging and COLD technologies.

About Progress Software

Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS) is a global supplier of software products and services for developing, deploying and managing business applications moving to the Internet. We offer messaging servers, application servers, databases, and application development and management products. Our partners include more than 2,000 application service providers and independent software vendors who supply annually over $5 billion in Progress(R)-based applications and related services. Our products are used by over 10,000 organizations across 100 countries worldwide, including 60% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, visit www.progress.com or call 1-781-280-4000