AT&T Labs to Use DataChannel's XML-based Enterprise Information Portal.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1999--

DataChannel, the leader in Enterprise XML Solutions, today announced an agreement with AT&T Labs whereby AT&T Labs will use DataChannel, Inc.'s XMLFramework(TM) technology to explore the development of next-generation network services.

Leveraging industry-standard eXtensible Markup Language (XML) in combination with DataChannel RIO(TM) will enable AT&T Labs to rapidly prototype new e-commerce offerings that can exchange and manage information in a reliable, secure way.

Under the agreement, AT&T Labs will license the XML Framework and use DataChannel support to create prototype technology and services that include the ability to provide the publishing, entitlement, notification, organization and personalized delivery of content from disparate sources in a browser environment.

"XML is becoming the universal language for data exchange," said Dado Vrsalovic, Vice President of AT&T Labs. "DataChannel's EIP solution will provide us with functionality to help address the convergence of networks and multiple media types."

XML is rapidly gaining acceptance as the global "currency" of the new information economy. It extends the capabilities of the World Wide Web's common language, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), by enabling access and exchange of data of disparate types and sources across the enterprise, and it will help prevent any information technology system from becoming legacy and proprietary.

"With information originating from disparate sources, it becomes imperative to establish a common language for information exchange and communication," said Lucie Fjeldstad, President of DataChannel, Inc. "By embracing XML, companies can provide universal access to data via personalized, browser based Enterprise Information Portals."

DataChannel's RIO(TM), an EIP application server based on XML, unleashes the power of Enterprise Portals by providing enhanced data access and advanced administration capability including N-tier support for access, configuration, and entitlements. DataChannel's XML Framework helps developers make the most of XML with a comprehensive portfolio of architectural design and consulting integration services, as well as tools, solution software and extensive maintenance and support offerings. By integrating these with AT&T Labs' development efforts, anyone with a Web browser will be able to easily access the information they need, when and in whatever format they need it -- whether the information resides in databases, desktops, applications, intranets, extranets or the Internet.

DataChannel's XMLFramework(TM)

DataChannel's XMLFramework is an extensive portfolio of enterprise solutions designed to capitalize on the Information Economy through the use of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). This XMLFramework(TM) creates universal access to mission-critical structured information as well as the ever-increasing amount of unstructured data. Information sources may originate from Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT), IBM (NYSE:IBM), Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO), and SAP (Nasdaq:SAP). Data may also originate from other sources including: external newsfeeds such as NewsEdge (Nasdaq:NEWZ); search engines such as Excite (Nasdaq:XCIT), InfoSeek (Nasdaq:SEEK), and Lycos (Nasdaq:LCOS); relational databases, from companies such as Informix Software (Nasdaq:IFMX), Sybase (Nasdaq:SYBS), and Oracle (Nasdaq:ORCL); Enterprise ERP applications, such as, PeopleSoft (Nasdaq:PSFT), and Baan (Nasdaq:BAANF); and enterprise corporate data from companies such as Wall Data (Nasdaq:WALL). DataChannel's XMLFramework offering consists of: XML Professional Services, Solutions Software, XML Tools and Technologies, XML Training, and Support Services.

About DataChannel, Inc.

Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., DataChannel, Inc. delivers Enterprise XML-based Solutions that facilitate the way companies share information with employees, vendors, customers and consumers across Intranets, Extranets and the Internet. These solutions are offered through DataChannel's XML Framework(TM), an extensive portfolio of enterprise solutions designed to capitalize on the Information Economy through the use of the Extensible Markup Language (XML). DataChannel develops and markets enterprise information management solutions to unleash the power of the enterprise information portal.

DataChannel simplifies the process of delivering critical information to the right people at the right time.

DataChannel can be found on the world wide web at http://www.datachannel.com

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