Ajunto Named Eastern Technology Council Preferred Provider and Gold Patron.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2001

Ajunto Selected to Offer Automated IT Sourcing and Procurement

Solutions to the Council's 1,200 Member Companies

Ajunto, Inc., the first horizontal service provider (HSP) dedicated to the IT industry, announced today that it has been named the Preferred Provider of sourcing and procurement solutions for the Eastern Technology Council.

The Eastern Technology Council helps companies identify strategic business opportunities by bringing area technology companies together for their mutual benefit and growth.

As an Eastern Technology Council preferred provider, Ajunto will offer the Council's 1,200 member companies access to its Intelligent Sourcing Service(SM) to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of how companies source IT solutions. This subscription-based offering includes access to Ajunto's patent-pending eConfiguration engine(TM), and research from Ajunto, META Group and Kennedy Information to ease and expedite the process of selecting IT applications and providers.

In addition, Technology Council member companies interested in building their own digital delivery channels will have the opportunity to license and customize Ajunto's unique IT Automation Software offering to help them create new ways to interact with customers, prospects, strategic alliances, and employees.

"As one of the first horizontal service providers, Ajunto has done an amazing job of creating an entirely new approach for IT sourcing and procurement. We are thrilled to be able to offer Ajunto's innovative Intelligent Sourcing Service and IT Automation Software platform to our membership," said Rob McCord, President and CEO, Eastern Technology Council. "The ability to automate the selection of IT applications and providers is the kind of cost- and time-saving service that the Technology Council embraces to help its members save money and find fundamental efficiencies."

Along with its preferred provider status, Ajunto will also kick off quarterly co-sponsored educational events focused on IT sourcing as an Eastern Technology Council Gold Patron.

"Our alliance with the Eastern Technology Council will provide a tremendous opportunity for Ajunto to help local technology companies automate, accelerate and improve the efficiency of their own IT selection and due diligence processes," said Michael M. Carter, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ajunto. "Extending our efforts locally to build business relationships through the Eastern Technology Council is an important part of the realization of our vision to automate the IT industry."

About The Eastern Technology Council

The Eastern Technology Council serves leaders of technology-oriented companies by providing valuable contacts, capital, and information with a broad variety of events, publications, and innovative services. Most Technology Council members use the Council to form vital money-making relationships.

Many use the Council to cut costs by taking advantage of Council-negotiated discounts. The Technology Council helps its 1,200 member companies make contact with each other, and through participation in Council events, members have the opportunity to develop solid, profitable relationships with each other and with area leaders.

About Ajunto, Inc.

Headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, Ajunto is the first horizontal service provider (HSP) specifically focused on automating the IT industry. Ajunto enables organizations to automate and accelerate the IT sourcing process through its exclusive, patent pending IT Automation Software(sm) and its hosted Intelligent Sourcing Service(sm).

Companies can license, incorporate and customize Ajunto's innovative IT Automation Software to reach new customers and more efficiently service existing customers. The IT Automation Software enables companies to quickly and proficiently deploy integrated, customized digital delivery channels for their own unique audiences. Additionally, Ajunto's Intelligent Sourcing Service provides IT professionals access to in-depth industry research and analysis, sophisticated online sourcing tools and a closed community of their peers.

Ajunto's investors include Pennsylvania Early Stage Partners II, a Safeguard Scientifics-affiliated fund (NYSE:SFE); META Group (NASDAQ:METG); The Eastern Technology Fund; Lenfest Enterprises LLC; Brobeck Phleger and Harrison; Unwired Ventures; and Cross River Partners. For more information, please visit Ajunto at: www. Ajunto.com

The Ajunto name and design are trademarks of Ajunto, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.