Akibia, Inc. Appoints Brad Waugh as President of flexHosting Group; Industry Veteran Boosts Company's Ongoing Flexible Support Services Capability for Total eCRM Solutions.

Business/Technology Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2000

Akibia, Inc., a total customer relationship management solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Brad Waugh as president of its flexHosting(SM) Group. In this position, Waugh is responsible for the global management and delivery of Akibia's application support services for internet-enabled customer relationship management (eCRM) systems. Developed from extensive knowledge of and experience in the eCRM industry, Akibia's flexHosting services are designed to help clients get the most from their eCRM investment.

As a total solutions provider, Akibia's services include business analysis, user training, application testing, implementation, ongoing consulting, support, hosting and maintenance. Once an eCRM application has been implemented, Akibia works with customers to develop and deploy the flexHosting service, which leverages the customers' current assets to meet specific needs for continued management and support. Incorporating a comprehensive set of components, flexHosting provides Akibia's customers with the option of combining various services to create a total eCRM solution. These customizable services include end-user support, application enhancement development, application administration, training and performance tuning.

"In dynamic, fast-paced sales environments, companies are finding they don't have the time or the technical resources to commit to ongoing eCRM application management," said Tom Willson, CEO of Akibia, Inc. "Akibia becomes the single point of responsibility for an entire eCRM solution, relieving the customer of complex yet critical application management activities. Brad Waugh's talent for understanding multifaceted business technologies and for managing multiple, critical projects makes him a natural for this essential part of our business."

"Akibia provides the most logical, innovative eCRM solutions available today," said Waugh. "From deciding where and how best to house application data to determining what levels of maintenance the customer requires, the flexHosting model puts the client's investments and business model first. The tailored, flexible approach gives customers a level of control and customization which is key to achieving maximum eCRM success. I'm very excited to be part of this customer-centered team."

From his tenure as executive vice president of Complete Business Solutions, Inc. (CBSI), Mr. Waugh brings to Akibia more than 15 years of industry experience in management, sales and marketing strategy, as well as a strong background in the consulting and staffing markets. With CBSI, he managed more than 1,000 employees in the Eastern U.S. and Canada, increasing the company's sales by $25 million and raising margins to 39 percent.

Prior to CBSI, Mr. Waugh was acting president of the technology consulting firm, C.W. Costello & Associates (CWC), where he directed corporate strategy and negotiations during the company's acquisition by CBSI. In addition to managing all of CWC's offices, Mr. Waugh implemented and directed many core programs including extensive public relations and advertising campaigns, a corporate proposal center and company-wide reporting system. Mr. Waugh's computer industry experience at a number of well-known consultancies includes strategy, planning and business development marketing, sales and human resource initiatives as well as overseeing an average annual growth rate of more than 45 percent. Mr. Waugh earned Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Boston University.

About Akibia, Inc.

Akibia is an expert provider of total eCRM solutions for high-growth technology and financial service corporations worldwide. The company designs, implements and hosts eCRM applications and infrastructure that enhance business relationships and deliver competitive advantage. Akibia was formed in 2000 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts with US offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fremont (CA), and New York, and international offices in London, Amsterdam and Arnhem. The company employs more than 375 multi-talented people worldwide. As a Siebel Premier Consulting Partner, Akibia, Inc. works closely with Siebel Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEBL) to implement its suite of CRM eBusiness solutions. The company has consistently won Siebel's three star award for customer satisfaction. Customers include Akamai Technologies, Inc., West Deutsche Landesbank, Citibank, Monster.com, Goldman Sachs, Cisco and Parametric Technologies. For more information call 508-460-1800, or visit the Akibia web site at www.akibia.com.