DirectorySmart by OpenNetwork To be Distributed to Microsoft Gold Partners Worldwide With Commerce Server 2002

Business Wire, April 9, 2002

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2002

OpenNetwork to Provide Multi-Platform Web Single Sign-On and

Access/Identity Management Security

OpenNetwork Technologies today announced that its flagship product, DirectorySmart(TM), will be distributed worldwide with Commerce Server 2002 to Microsoft Gold Partners and its launch partners, including Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Compaq Consulting and Accenture to extend Microsoft's solutions for the Internet business marketplace.

This significantly expands OpenNetwork's reach into new markets. Sales will focus on Fortune 2000 customers considering Microsoft .NET technology and seeking a comprehensive secure solution to assist them in rapidly bringing their e-business initiatives to the Web.

OpenNetwork's support and endorsement of Microsoft Commerce Server 2002, the essential .NET Enterprise Server for rapidly building and deploying successful online businesses expands their relationship with Microsoft Corp. OpenNetwork's DirectorySmart(TM) will provide multi-platform Web single sign-on and access/identity management security for Commerce Server 2002 customers to provide companies with a flexible, reliable, and robust Internet business solution.

DirectorySmart(TM) provides a flexible e-business security framework that bridges Microsoft .NET to non-Microsoft environments. This enables companies with mixed e-business environments to take advantage of the power of Microsoft .NET across their infrastructure through a single security framework that seamlessly bridges .NET solutions with non-Microsoft environments in the extranet. DirectorySmart is the proven leader in providing e-business security around Microsoft Active Directory and .NET products that include Commerce Server, Content Management Server, and BizTalk Server. Offering DirectorySmart(TM) with Microsoft solutions for Internet businesses will allow large companies moving business applications online to deploy Microsoft's e-commerce, content management, XML Web services and other e-business features without having to change their current technology platform.

"OpenNetwork and Microsoft see the value of streamlining e-business process by providing customers with competitive, cost effective solutions that assist businesses to rapidly move their business offerings to the Web, " said Kurt Long, president and CEO of OpenNetwork. "OpenNetwork is pleased to partner with Microsoft to provide the Web heterogenous security framework to Microsoft Internet solutions."

"Microsoft combines the power of .NET with a handful of specialty vendors to offer a single, comprehensive e-business solution," said L.J. Germinario, technical product manager for Commerce Server at Microsoft Corp. "DirectorySmart's extensive support of the .NET Framework and non-Microsoft technologies enables companies to quickly and easily deploy a Microsoft solution in their current infrastructure through a single security framework. OpenNetwork's continued commitment and leadership in Microsoft .NET support made it an easy choice for Commerce Server 2002 customers."

DirectorySmart(TM) by OpenNetwork is the first Extranet Access Management (EAM) vendor to successfully pass Microsoft Windows Advanced Server and Commerce Server certifications and to be declared a Microsoft Gold Partner. In addition, the two companies have thoroughly tested on multiple environments and conducted independent scalability and performance testing to guarantee the products will work and scale well together. Reports are available at http://www.mindcraft.com

About OpenNetwork Technologies

OpenNetwork is a global provider of Web single sign-on and access and identity management software for e-business. The company's flagship product, DirectorySmart(tm), enables businesses to secure and manage millions of users' access to confidential information and multiple applications over the Web regardless of platform. DirectorySmart is the first and only pure "directory-centric" product to provide Web access control and identity and policy management through a centralized security management framework. This unique design enables companies to quickly bring their e-business initiatives to market securely and easily to manage, scale and support millions of users with the least impact to their organization while providing the highest return on investment. In addition OpenNetwork's flexible technology allows it to adapt, grow, and run within a company's existing heterogeneous environments, making it a low risk investment for any company in need of a robust, scaleable security solution.

Headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., OpenNetwork Technologies has offices across the United States and in Europe and partners with leading technology companies, including Microsoft, BEA, IBM and Plumtree. For more information about OpenNetwork Technologies and DirectorySmart, visit www.opennetwork.com, send an e-mail to info@opennetwork.com or call 877/561-9500.

Product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.