Active Software Introduces the ActiveWorks Mainframe Integration Server.

Business/Technology Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2000

Powered By Patent-Pending Technology, Mainframe Integration Solution

Completes Seamless End-to-End Business Integration

Active Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASWX), a leading provider of eBusiness infrastructure software products, today introduced the ActiveWorks(TM) Mainframe Integration Server, a high-performance integration solution for companies wanting to integrate critical mainframe data with eBusiness applications in real-time. The ActiveWorks Mainframe Integration Server leverages two patent-pending technologies, Direct Transaction Mapping (DTM(TM)) and Distributed Transaction Routing (DTR(TM)), to provide outstanding scalability and speed of integration, without requiring programming or changes to the mainframe systems.

Active Software estimates that the majority of Fortune 1000 corporations have made significant investments in mainframe system architecture and Y2K compliance, with the total amount exceeding $1 trillion. Corporations need to find new, cost-effective means to realize returns on their existing mainframe investments by using this information to improve customer service and accelerate time to market. By adding the Mainframe Integration Server to the ActiveWorks Integration System(TM), Active Software will enable eBusinesses to easily extract critical mainframe data and integrate it in real-time, to front-end Internet eBusiness applications. Businesses will now be able to leverage mainframes in a new way and capture an additional return on their significant investment.

"We believe that the ActiveWorks Mainframe Integration Server solves one of today's most critical integration challenges," said Jim Green, chairman and CEO, Active Software. "For the first time, companies can take mainframe data and seamlessly integrate it into Internet and eBusiness applications, all in real-time, creating an end-to-end integration solution."

By utilizing DTR and DTM technology, the Mainframe Integration Server supersedes existing solutions that depend upon archaic and costly methods of data extraction, such as screen scraping. The Mainframe Integration Server and other components of the ActiveWorks Integration System provide an end-to-end integration solution within the enterprise. Also, as a result of ActiveWork's support for business-to-business integration solutions, corporations now have a comprehensive, mainframe-to-partner or mainframe-to-exchange, integration solution.

Features and Systems Requirements

Features:

--Ease of deployment: rapid implementation that does not require software installation or source code modifications on the mainframe.

--Enhanced speed: real-time access to CICS and IMS applications over SNA LU0, LU2 and LU6.2 (CICS only).

--Scalability and high-performance: the Mainframe Integration Server can maintain a transactional turnaround unmatched by conventional data extraction methods.

--User friendly: a graphical environment that does not require programming.

Requirements:

--The Mainframe Integration Server runs on NT 4.0 and also requires Microsoft SNA Server or CSNT from IBM.

Pricing and Availability

Available in third quarter 2000, pricing for the Mainframe Integration Server starts at $75,000. For more information visit http://www.activesoftware.com. The ActiveWorks Integration System ActiveWorks provides a fast path to eBusiness integration inside the enterprise. ActiveWorks allows business processes to drive eBusiness integration and enables scalable implementation, from small pilot programs to geographically dispersed solutions. ActiveWorks supports the major application, platform and networking standards required by eBusiness solutions and provides an open platform for partners to build products and solutions that expand a customer's eBusiness capabilities. These technical benefits translate to faster time-to-market, enabling new revenue opportunities for today's major corporations.

About Active Software, Inc.

Founded in 1995, Active Software, Inc., (Nasdaq: ASWX) is a leading provider of eBusiness infrastructure software products. Active Software's eBusiness platform, the ActiveWorks(TM) Integration System, automates end-to-end business processes within the enterprise. Active Software has approximately 200 customers in industries such as telecommunications, financial services, government, technology, utilities, distribution, manufacturing and transportation. Active Software is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.activesoftware.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the proposed acquisition of Active Software by webMethods, Inc., Active Software's limited operating history, potential fluctuations in operating results, the company's substantial dependence on its ActiveWorks software products, the company's need to expand its sales and distribution channels, and the uncertain market acceptance of eBusiness integration software products. These and other risk factors are described in detail in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Active Software logo, Active Software and ActiveWorks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Active Software Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.