Sterling Commerce and HDMA Extend Strategic Alliance to Bring New Tools to Healthcare Product Distribution Industry

Business Wire, June 12, 2002

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

COLUMBUS, Ohio and RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2002

Agreement Affirms Sterling Commerce's Commitment to Healthcare

Technology and HDMA's Dedication to Innovative Technology for its

Members

Sterling Commerce and the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) today announced an agreement that extends its long-standing strategic alliance. The three-year agreement allows the organizations to continue joint efforts to create B2B solutions to streamline pharmaceutical and product distribution to the healthcare industry.

The renewal of the alliance partnership reaffirms Sterling Commerce's commitment to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, which it has served for more than 25 years, and HDMA's dedication to providing innovative technology solutions to its membership. HDMA endorses Sterling Commerce technologies to its membership base -- Sterling Integrator, Sterling Information Broker and the Gentran and Connect families of products and services.

"Advanced technology used in our industry continues to be an important focus for us," said Ron Streck, HDMA president and chief executive officer. "Together with Sterling Commerce, we already have created innovative tools for our members. Our extended agreement will allow us to continue to develop and introduce exciting new services in the future."

Through the HEALTHCOM Connection Catalog Services from HDMA and Sterling Commerce, drug manufacturers are able to upload detailed product pricing, promotion, and logistical information for easy access by distributors. Over the past five years, the HEALTHCOM Catalog (www.healthcom.com) has been successful in making more accurate and up- to-date information available to distributors, while improving efficiencies and reducing cost.

The two organizations will continue to work together on HEALTHCOM and to identify and develop other opportunities and projects to serve the healthcare community in the future.

"The benefits of e-commerce haven't missed the healthcare industry, thanks in large part to HDMA and the work they've put into improving pharmaceutical distribution," said Terry Baker, chief marketing officer, Sterling Commerce. "We're proud of all we've accomplished with them over the last five years, and pleased that we'll continue our productive relationship."

About HDMA

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) is a leader in stimulating innovations that enhance the distributors' role in health care. Formerly the National Wholesale Druggists' Association (NWDA), HDMA secures safe and effective distribution of healthcare products, creates and exchanges industry knowledge affecting distribution management, and improves standards and business processes that influence healthcare commerce.

About Sterling Commerce and SBC

Sterling Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) is one of the world's largest providers of business-to- business commerce solutions. For Global 5000 companies and their customers, suppliers and partners, Sterling Commerce software and services help maximize business performance and improve business metrics through integration of applications, external partner systems and people. With more than 25 years of experience serving tens of thousands of customers in a vast range of industries, Sterling Commerce is a recognized pioneer in business-to-business commerce through its longstanding expertise in EDI. Today, as customers explore new ways to improve business performance via the Internet, Sterling Commerce continues to innovate its software and services to further the global adoption of e-commerce while offering its customers strategic solutions that leverage existing technology. For more information, visit www.sterlingcommerce.com.

SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) is one of the world's leading data, voice and Internet services providers. Through its world-class network and its subsidiaries' trusted brands - SBC Southwestern Bell, SBC Ameritech, SBC Pacific Bell, SBC Nevada Bell, SBC SNET and Sterling Commerce - SBC companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, as well as directory advertising and publishing. A Fortune 27 company, America's leading provider of high-speed DSL Internet Access services, and one of the nation's leading Internet Service Providers, SBC companies currently serve nearly 60 million access lines nationwide. In addition, SBC owns 60 percent of America's second largest wireless company -- Cingular Wireless -- which serves more than 21 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in 28 countries.

SOURCE: Sterling Commerce