Altio Introduces Next Generation Web Interface Technology; Altio Live Merges Web Interactivity, Desktop Functionality to Produce Live Web Interface.

Business/Technology Editors

Online Exchanges 2000

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2000

Altio, a privately-held software company, today announced Altio Live, the next generation in web interface technology, at the Online Exchanges 2000 conference in San Francisco, CA.

Scheduled for worldwide availability on July 1, 2000 and targeted to business-to-business online exchanges, Altio Live transforms standard HTML Web sites into a real-time web environment that is more interactive and responsive, providing the look and feel of a live Wall Street trading application. The XML-based Altio Live platform integrates seamlessly into existing web application engines and helps companies get the most return on investment from its web implementation.

Altio's technology transforms the web experience in three fundamental ways:

-- The technology allows online exchanges to provide a truly live Web site, with data updating in real time without any need for users to use the 'refresh' button.

-- Altio Live offers true drag-and-drop capability on web pages, allowing users to interact with data more quickly and efficiently.

-- Altio Live allows individual Web site users to customize their own views by allowing them to arrange and resize the application screens. Personalized layout features are then saved and rendered on any machine from which the user logs on.

"Businesses flock to the web because of its ability to provide low-cost data management and interactive applications," said David Levett, CEO of Altio. "However, transactions are still difficult to execute on B2B Web sites because they lack the customization and speed of desktop programs. Altio Live solves that problem by providing an interface with which users can complete transactions and browse quickly and easily, removing the hurdles of slow page-by-page navigation."

Altio's technology helps companies deliver information as quickly and easily as a desktop application but with the portability and convenience of the web. Altio Live also provides businesses the ability to extend their Web site data to wireless devices.

"The Internet has reached a critical point in its evolution now that companies have spent millions of dollars on static HTML-based sites. Today, the B2B market requires more focus on the user experience," said Melissa Bane, director of marketing and business development at Altio. "Our clients are companies attempting to offer live trading markets -- previously impossible before Altio Live -- while balancing the value of the information they offer online with the ease-of-use of their interface. Whether it's wireless or PC users operating on Altio Live, the front end of the web interface is faster, smarter and more robust."

"A live, dynamic web user interface is critical to the success of the Internet," said Badri Nathan, investment manager, Amadeus Capital Partners. "Altio's technology drives critical functionality into the web, making this channel finally truly relevant to the business user."

About Altio Ltd.

Altio is a leading web interface software company headquartered in London, England. Altio's software is used to make Web sites simpler to navigate and use, facilitating more efficient business management and seamless communications. Altio provides key e-infrastructure technology to the global business-to-business market, allowing its clients to provide live web experiences to their customers.