Sterling Commerce to Present Data Synchronization Strategies at the May 1-5 AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum

Business Wire, April 25, 2005

Sterling Commerce:

WHO:    Sterling Commerce executive John L. Stelzer, director of
        Industry Development, will present three educational sessions
        on data synchronization at the American Hardware Manufacturer
        Association's (AHMA) Hardlines Technology Forum, May 1-5, 2005
        at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans. Mr. Stelzer is a data
        synchronization industry expert and has been providing
        education and consulting on electronic commerce in the retail
        industry and data synchronization for 11 years--to date,
        educating more than 27,000 professionals from more than 16,000
        companies.

WHAT:   After 14 successful years, the AHMA Hardlines Technology
        Forum has become the premier hardware and home improvement
        industry conference. Industry leaders at this year's event,
        such as Mr. Stelzer, will discuss the technological changes
        necessary for hardware and home improvement companies to
        compete in today's business environment. Helping these
        organizations adapt to technological change, Mr. Stelzer will
        present three insightful sessions on data synchronization and
        will moderate the Seller Forum, Buyer/Seller Forum and the
        Retail Technology Panel. In these sessions, Mr. Stelzer will
        detail how data synchronization works, review several data
        synchronization implementation options for different types of
        organizations, and share insights on how to successfully begin
        the implementation process. By attending these sessions,
        companies will have a clear understanding of which data
        synchronization solutions they can leverage to achieve secure,
        multi-enterprise collaboration with their trading partners and
        business ecosystem to succeed today and in the future.
        Specifically, Mr. Stelzer's sessions will cover:

        "Data Sync 101: Fundamentals Needed to Rise Above the
        Turmoil." In this session, Mr. Stelzer will educate attendees
        on the fundamentals needed to effectively execute a data
        synchronization strategy. He will offer a clear overview of
        the entire data synchronization landscape to help enterprises
        avoid confusion, will clarify the key terms used, and give
        companies the basics they need to take full advantage of data
        synchronization strategy. Monday, May 2, 2005 - 10:00
        a.m.-11:00 a.m. (CDT)

        "Data Sync Implementation Options." In this session, Mr.
        Stelzer will address the different approaches available to
        organizations for effective data synchronization (from manual
        to automated processes, inexpensive to more substantial
        investments, and from hosted solutions to behind the firewall
        software solutions) and describe the pros and cons of each
        approach, as well as detail the circumstances where one
        approach is preferred over another. Tuesday, May 3, 2005 -
        2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (CDT)

        "How to Implement Data Synchronization." This full-day course
        led by Mr. Stelzer provides practical insight for both
        publishers and subscribers of data synchronization information
        on the pros and cons of the implementation options that await
        them, the implementation steps that lie ahead, and the
        pitfalls that can undermine the effort. Thursday, May 5, 2005
        - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (CDT)

        In addition to these sessions, Mr. Stelzer will moderate the
        following panel discussions:

        Seller Forum, Monday, May 2, 2005, 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (CDT)
        The Buyer/Seller Forum, Tuesday, May 3, 2005,
        8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (CDT)
        Retail Panel: EC Technology Initiatives, Wednesday, May 4,
        2005, 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. (CDT)

        For more information on AHMA, visit www.ahma.org.
        For more information on Sterling Commerce, visit
        www.sterlingcommerce.com.

WHERE:  Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, Poydras Plaza at Loyola Avenue,
        New Orleans, Louisiana, 504-561-1234.

WHEN:   Sunday, May 1 through Thursday, May 5, 2005

CONTACT FOR INTERVIEWS: Bill Hankes, director of global corporate
communications, 614-791-6437 or 480-239-2329,
bill_hankes@stercomm.com.

About Sterling Commerce

A wholly owned subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc., Sterling Commerce is one of the world's largest providers of multi-enterprise collaboration solutions. For three decades, thousands of companies, including the majority of the Fortune 500, have depended on Sterling Commerce expertise to extend processes beyond the edge of the enterprise to enable visible business with suppliers, customers, partners and employees. With more than 29,000 customers worldwide, Sterling Commerce builds collaborative, multi-enterprise communities for customers in the retail, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare and telecommunications industries. For detailed, up-to-date information on Sterling Commerce and its solutions, visit www.sterlingcommerce.com.