Accenture Unveils Java Framework for BEA WebLogic E-Business Platform; Open Technology Solution Lowers Costs, Speeds Implementation

Business Wire, Nov 12, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) today announced a new Java application framework for BEA WebLogic E-Business Platform(TM) from BEA Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:BEAS) that makes it easier for companies to build and manage their e-business infrastructure.

Accenture's General and Reusable Netcentric Delivery Solution (GRNDS) application framework is based on Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and leverages BEA WebLogic's powerful combination of portal, application and integration servers. GRNDS is an extensible and upgradeable architecture complete with a robust toolkit that is designed to speed application rollouts, allowing IT architects to focus on core business functions.

GRNDS provides eCommerce infrastructure for customer portals, eCRM and eCARE applications, mobile commerce and legacy integration. The toolkit is designed to simplify the J2EE environment through consistent use of practical design patterns, enable multi-channel access for new capabilities, and reduce architecture development costs by 50 percent or more. The solution is maintained and supported by a dedicated, core support team within Accenture.

"Accenture has developed GRNDS from our extensive experiences in building enterprise architectures for Global 2000 clients from a wide array of industries," said Kevin Pollari, Accenture partner. "GRNDS and J2EE continue to be an important part of our relationship with BEA as we adapt it to take advantage of BEA's ongoing innovation in providing an end-to-end e-business platform."

"Accenture's influence is significant in our joint user base," said Rauline Ochs, vice president of worldwide partner initiatives for BEA. "We strive, together, to provide our shared clients with the most innovative and market leading offerings, allowing users to focus on their core business rather than technology implementation. We have had great success teaming with Accenture on GRNDS and numerous other re-usable frameworks and offerings. By combining Accenture's extensive integration experience with the power of the BEA WebLogic E-Business Platform, we help enable our joint customers to quickly realize ROI on their IT investments."

About Accenture

Accenture is the world's leading management and technology consulting organization. Through its network of businesses approach, in which the company enhances its consulting and outsourcing expertise through alliances, ventures and other capabilities, Accenture delivers innovations that help clients across all industries quickly realize their visions. With more than 75,000 people in 46 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.44 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About BEA Systems, Inc.

BEA Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BEAS) is one of the world's leading e-business infrastructure software companies, with more than 11,000 customers around the world, including the majority of the Fortune Global 500. BEA and its WebLogic(R) brand are among the most trusted names in e-business. Businesses built on the award-winning BEA WebLogic E-Business Platform(TM) are reliable, highly scalable, and poised to bring new services to market quickly. BEA's e-business platform is the de facto standard for more than 2,100 systems integrators, independent software vendors (ISVs) and application service providers (ASPs) to provide complete solutions that fast-track and future-proof e-businesses for high growth and profitability. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., BEA has 93 offices in 34 countries and is on the Web at www.bea.com.

BEA and BEA Tuxedo are registered trademarks of BEA Systems, Inc. BEA WebLogic Server, BEA WebLogic Enterprise, BEA eLink, The E-Commerce Transactions Company, and The BEA E-Commerce Transaction Platform are trademarks of BEA Systems, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the company with which they are associated.