Solvay Selects webMethods For Connectivity With Business Partners; Integration of ERP Systems Enables Real-time Transactions

Business Wire, Feb 12, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

BRUSSELS(B)/HILVERSUM (NL)--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2001

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, announces that Solvay, a leading international chemical and pharmaceutical company, has selected webMethods B2B(TM) to automate the communication and exchange of information between Solvay and its business partners. webMethods B2B will enable Solvay to process real-time transactions and solidify relationships with strategic customers and suppliers.

"Solvay wanted a vendor with a strong vision of what will be the trading networks of the 21st century," said Frank Delinte, e-business manager at Solvay Information Services. "webMethods has a leading position in the market, good references and a solid basis, which is important in view of our future e-business plans. The company is able to quickly deliver proven and workable solutions that are reliable and easy to use. Solvay was pleased to have had such positive experience with the technology during the pilot phase and feel we are well-positioned for further integrations with companies such as Omnexus and Elemica, one of the premier, neutral e-marketplaces for the global chemical industry."

By using webMethods B2B, Solvay can connect its SAP systems directly via the Internet with the back-end ERP systems of its top trading partners. Solvay tested the solution with a first customer during the last quarter of 2000. That customer now places orders and receives order confirmation in a completely integrated environment.

"webMethods has demonstrated, and will continue to demonstrate, that our B2Bi solutions can improve Solvay's supply chain efficiencies with its most strategic business partners," said Laurie Mascott, vice president of EMEA for webMethods, Inc. "webMethods B2B enables Solvay to quickly integrate trading partners with no changes to their existing technology infrastructure, thus increasing the value of online trade. By leveraging webMethods B2B to simplify integration efforts and streamline the supply chain, Solvay will have the flexibility to scale as the company expands its business-to-business e-commerce initiatives."

About Solvay

Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical group headquartered in Brussels. It employs about 33,000 people in 50 countries. In 1999, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion, generated by its four sectors of activity: Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Plastics and Processing. Solvay's product lines include PVC resin Solvin and PVC compound Benvic, PEHD Eltex and Fortiflex, polypropylene Eltex and Fortilene, polyvinylidene fluoride Solef, polyvinylidene chloride IXAN, polyarylamide based engineering compounds Ixef, and polyphenylene sulfide based compounds Primef. This new participation is demonstrating Solvay's commitment to e-business. More information can be found at www.solvay.com.

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.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. With an emphasis on key vertical markets such as chemicals, financial services, high-tech manufacturing and telecommunications, webMethods has more than 550 customers worldwide--from Global 2000 leaders such as Citibank, Dell, Eastman Chemical Company, Grainger, Motorola and Starbucks to major B2B exchanges like ForestExpress, eHITEX/Converge and PetroCosm. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Commerce One, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, i2 Technologies, J.D. Edwards, KPMG, Microsoft, Oracle Corp., SAP AG and Siebel. 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 webMethods 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 webMethods 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 webMethods' recent Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, as amended, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.