RosettaNet Standards Organization Extends Global Presence with Launch of Consortium's Newest Asia Affiliate

Business Wire, March 12, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2003

RosettaNet Philippines Garners Strong Industry Support by Founding

Members SEIPI, Intel, Motorola and Texas Instruments

RosettaNet, the high-technology industry's leading e-business process standards consortium, today announced the expansion of its Asia-based operations with the addition of a new affiliate organization in the Philippines.

This move further extends RosettaNet's capabilities for adoption and implementation of its open supply chain standards that enable companies in Asia and throughout the world to engage in dynamic B2B trading partner relationships via the Internet.

The event celebrating the launch of RosettaNet Philippines, including keynote addresses by the Honorable Mar Roxas II, secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry and Jennifer Hamilton, RosettaNet CEO, was held earlier this week at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati City.

A business forum showcasing the value of RosettaNet to the Philippine business economy also took place, with more than 200 CEOs, CIOs and other executives from various industry and business communities in attendance.

The electronics market sector is acknowledged as a primary driver of the Philippine economy and accounts for more than 70 percent of the country's total exports. RosettaNet Philippines' charter will be to drive global implementation of RosettaNet's Internet-based business standards to further strengthen the country's global competitiveness.

Founding members of the new affiliate organization include SEIPI (Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc.), industry-leading companies such as Intel, Motorola and Texas Instruments, along with Microsoft, Ayala Port and Bayantrade.

"Large multinational companies and regional firms with Asia-based connections represent nearly 50 percent of RosettaNet production implementations worldwide," said Hamilton. "In fact, the region as a whole has outpaced others with regard to demonstrated rapid adoption and deployment of RosettaNet XML-based standards and this trend supports the notion that there is a growing focus on B2B trade in Asia.

"The launch of RosettaNet Philippines is indicative of an extended commitment by the local community and further exemplifies the critical need for increased supply chain efficiencies in Asia and beyond."

Cielito Zulaybar has been named as executive director of RosettaNet Philippines and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the consortium. In this new role, Zulaybar will report directly to SY Foong, RosettaNet vice president of Asia and the RosettaNet Philippines board of trustees.

Zulaybar, an on-loan senior executive from Intel Corp., is a 20-year veteran of the semiconductor and electronics industry, where he has held various positions in the areas of plant management, technology development and manufacturing engineering.

He currently leads technology development at the Intel Technology Philippines site in Cavite, Philippines. Zulaybar holds a bachelor of science degree in electronics and also has degrees in communications and engineering.

"RosettaNet Asia is extremely pleased to announce its latest affiliate organization and looks forward to accelerating the growth of B2B integration for all sized enterprises in the region," said Foong.

"On behalf of the consortium, I would like to acknowledge the demonstrated leadership of RosettaNet Philippines' founding members, and also recognize generous support of Intel Corp. for providing an on-loan resource for this very critical executive director role."

"The formation of RosettaNet Philippines is the result of passionate commitment by key private sector companies who believe that adopting e-business standards like RosettaNet is vital to the country's pursuit of global competitiveness," said Ernesto Santiago, executive director of SEIPI.

"To thrive in industry sectors such as semiconductors and electronics, connectivity, convergence, speed and efficiency are equally important. The RosettaNet standard offers all that and comes at an opportune time as the country is attempting to bolster its competitive advantage and positioning within the marketplace."

RosettaNet Philippines is the latest addition to a broader initiative in Asia that currently includes activities in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Each affiliate organization is dedicated to the local adoption and implementation of RosettaNet's B2B supply chain standards.

Similarly, RosettaNet Philippines is empowered to address regional differences in business practices and how they will conform to or influence modifications and/or enhancements to global RosettaNet standards.

The RosettaNet Philippines board of directors is comprised of representatives from the founding member companies, including Mark Javier, Ayala Port Inc.; Dante Briones, Bayantrade; Lito Zulaybar, Intel; Joju Quejada, Mortorola; and Ernesto Santiago, SEIPI.

For more information on how to join RosettaNet Philippines, contact Zulaybar (lito.zulaybar@rosettanet.org) or Santiago (ebsantiago@seipi.org.ph). Additional details, including membership benefits can be found at www.rosettanet.org/ph.