Alliances Finalized with KBC Advanced Technologies plc and Cadcentre Group plc.

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 1999--

AEA Technology Engineering Software is increasingly well positioned for a continued increase in its market share, especially in its business with the process industries. Recently announced alliances with KBC Advanced Technologies plc and Cadcentre Group plc were both finalized and full-scale cooperation started on April 1.

The KBC alliance further reinforces AEA Technology's already strong position in the market for process simulation in the oil refinery sector. The alliance with Cadcentre will provide customers with a comprehensive design solution linking process simulation through to detailed physical plant design.

Commenting on the launch of these two alliances, Steve Curl, Managing Director of AEA Technology Engineering Software said: "By working closely with KBC and Cadcentre, AEA Technology's leading position in process simulation will be further enhanced. Although the last year has been challenging, we have continued to show substantial growth in revenues from process simulation software, both in our traditional business with clients in the oil & gas sector and elsewhere. We have continued our penetration of the chemicals, industrial gases and pharmaceutical markets. Together with substantial new product releases, a strengthening of customer relationships, and continued profitability these alliances enhance our confidence in continued growth in the years ahead."

KBC Advanced Technologies plc specializes in helping clients improve oil refinery performance. KBC's refinery-wide simulation software Petrofine(R) is the market leader which includes models and all the specific processes in refineries. These tools are used by KBC consultants to help refinery operators improve profits. Under the new agreement Petrofine and other KBC software products will be integrated into AEA Technology's HYSYS process simulation software. The new product will be a suite of state of the art software tools that will allow both companies to remain leaders in the provision of services to help refiners design, manage and operate their businesses to maximize profitability.

Cadcentre Group plc, a leading supplier of 3D plant design software becomes the worldwide distributor of AEA Technology's PlantVIEW software. PlantVIEW is the intelligent 3D physical modeler for creating and evaluating the operation of complete models of a new or existing plant prior to financial commitment. It also allows engineers to visualize designs in 3D and 'walk through' a plant on computer. The alliance between AEA Technology and Cadcentre will lead to the integration of process design and both 2D schematic and 3D physical plant design software.

AEA Technology Engineering Software

AEA Technology Engineering Software is a leading supplier of engineering solutions for the process and mechanical manufacturing industries. The business operates from a network of 20 offices worldwide, with subsidiaries in Canada, USA, Germany, Spain, France and Japan. Its range of software products includes process simulation (HYSYS), separation process design (SPS) batch process design (BaSYS & BDK) heat transfer (HTFS), plant lifecycle data management (AXSYS), and computational fluid dynamics (CFX) as well as operator training and fatigue and lifetime prediction solutions (nCode). The business aims to provide an unequalled software environment for the management of knowledge and design throughout the engineering and operational lifecycle within its expanding customer base.

AEA Technology Engineering Software is a business of AEA Technology plc, one of the world's leading innovation businesses supplying innovative technical, safety and environmental solutions to a broad range of industries worldwide. For further information on AEA Technology Engineering Software, visit their website at www.software.aeat.com or contact Marie Telepneff at 510-748-4855 / [e-mail]

All trademarks or registered trademarks herein are the property of their respective owners. Petrofine(R) is a registered trademark of KBC Advanced Technologies plc, all rights reserved.