Acacia Technologies Announces Agreement To Integrate Business Process Workflow Automation To ERP, WMS Products.

LISLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 1998--

100% Java-Based Business Process Workflow Automation Works Seamlessly With Flagship ERP Product

Acacia Technologies(TM), a leader in manufacturing and distribution enterprise software, today announced an agreement with The Workflow Automation Corporation to integrate the latest in workflow automation technology with Acacia's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Warehouse Management System (WMS) solutions.

Acacia Technologies, a division of Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA), offers two ERP products, PRMS(TM) and KBM(TM), as well as Warehouse BOSS(TM), a robust WMS solution that works as an integrated enterprise suite or as a stand-alone product.

Through the agreement with The Workflow Automation Corporation, based in Markham, Ontario, Canada, the robust, Java-based business process workflow automation application will be seamlessly embedded into all three Acacia Technologies products. Workflow Automation's products are designed for tight integration so that end-users are not able to tell where existing office applications end, and the workflow application begins. That results in greater end-user acceptance, with the users able to continue use applications with which they are familiar.

"Even with the prevalence of technology in the workplace today, many companies still rely on paper-based systems to ensure that business process activities are completed," said John McCarron, senior vice president and general manager of Acacia Technologies. "As a result of this agreement, our customers will be able to automate their paper-based lists - like 'to-do' lists and status reports - while ensuring that nothing falls between the cracks."

The workflow automation product will automatically trigger the necessary activities around the business. Each time a workflow event is entered - such as a new sales order - the system will automatically initiate the steps defined in the workflow design. This could include activities in credit control, engineering or production.

The integrated workflow application consists of three components:

-- Workflow Design, which enables individuals with knowledge of the business process to develop a work breakdown structure identifying the major steps in a process, the actions to be performed in each step, the appropriate participants, and how the process will flow.

-- Worklist Handler, which either notifies the appropriate person of a required task or executes an automated computerized function.

-- Workflow Monitor, which enables the generation of workflow performance statistics or workflow process status reviews. Workloads can also be re-assigned or dynamically rerouted, if needed.

Acacia Technologies provides four product families to the IBM AS/400 marketplace as well as a suite of implementation and analysis tools. These include:

-- PRMS(TM) -- an integrated ERP solution for a variety of businesses using discrete, repetitive, process or co-existent manufacturing process;

-- Warehouse BOSS(TM) -- a complete warehouse management system covering all aspects of receiving, locating, putaway, order management, picking, packing and shipping;

-- KBM(TM) -- a comprehensive knowledge-based ERP system specifically designed for the custom products manufacturer; and

-- Quick Response Engine(TM) -- a Microsoft Windows client-based, object-oriented, advanced scheduling tool that manages independent demands such as customer orders, synchronized materials requirements and production load to capacity, and shop floor scheduling.

The current releases of the four Acacia products are Year 2000 compatible.

Acacia Technologies, with headquarters in Lisle, Illinois, is a division of Computer Associates International, Inc. This division is responsible for the development, support, marketing and sales of PRMS, KBM, Warehouse BOSS and Quick Response Engine. The objective of Acacia Technologies is to meet the evolving needs of manufacturing and distribution businesses through a set of solutions built on the AS/400 client/server technology. Acacia Technologies can be reached by visiting http://www.acaciatech.com on the World Wide Web, or calling 1-800-523-5260.

Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA), with headquarters in Islandia, N.Y., is the world leader in mission-critical business software. The company develops, licenses and supports more than 500 integrated products that include enterprise computing and information management, application development, manufacturing and financial applications. CA has over 11,000 people in 160 offices in 43 countries and had revenue of $4.7 billion in fiscal year 1998. CA can be reached by visiting http://www.cai.com on the World Wide Web, emailing [e-mail] or calling 1-516-342-5224.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

    CONTACT:  Acacia Technologies
               Larry A. Mathias, 630/505-6137
               E-mail: [e-mail]