Artios Named Microsoft Certified Solution Provider; Relationship to Further Enhance Company's E-commerce Solution Offerings.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

Artios, a leading business-to-business (B2B) provider of data and information exchange services, announced today it has been named a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider (MCSP). In addition, Artios will be incorporating technology from several Microsoft products including BizTalk and the new .NET Web Services architecture, into its solution offerings.

Microsoft Certified Solution Providers are independent companies that receive resources and training directly from Microsoft to help them solve business challenges across industries for worldwide customers who use Microsoft technology.

Artios' core technology solution, known as the Integrated Information Exchange (IIE), enables its customers to exchange information electronically with their business partners regardless of the software or hardware platforms each operates. Additionally, the IIE provides Artios' customers and their business partners with a secure, confidential and reliable environment for managing and processing their business transactions.

"We are pleased to be recognized as a Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider," said Martin E. Hensley, founder, and president and CEO of Artios. "Our relationship with Microsoft will help us provide even more value and services to our customers. We are working to make e-commerce a reality for all businesses. Companies that want to engage in B2B e-commerce today must first address the back end data integration issues between their business partners and exchanges, which are usually overwhelming. Our service enables businesses of all kinds and sizes to succeed in the world of e-commerce, because it offers flexible solutions that allow "any-to-any" integration between disparate systems, exchanges and vendor communities."

"Microsoft works closely with its partners through the MCSP Program to ensure that they have the information they need to provide market-leading technology solutions for our shared customers," said Rosa Garcia, general manager, Partner Programs, Microsoft Corp. "The resources provided to Artios as an MCSP will even better enable them to deliver the Microsoft Internet Solutions of today, as well as prepare them to provide the next generation of Microsoft e-Business solutions through the .NET Platform."

"We are pleased that Artios has embraced our vision of the programmable Web and will be using Microsoft e-Business tools such as BizTalk Server 2000 and our Web Services technologies to help more customers realize the power of the Internet and the value of e-Business," said Bill Dunlap, group product manager, E-Business Solutions Group, Microsoft Corp.

"By exchanging business transactions electronically, it is estimated that companies can save as much as 80 percent of the costs associated with conducting these same transactions on paper," said Hensley. "Adding tools like BizTalk Server to our solution set enables Artios to offer even more customized e-commerce solutions to meet the individual needs of our customers. This will further enhance the value that we bring to our customers' businesses."

About Artios

Artios is a business-to-business e-commerce service provider that enables business partners to easily exchange files and information between disparate computer systems, portals or exchanges without requiring either company to use new software or hardware. Companies of all sizes that outsource with Artios obtain the freedom to participate in e-commerce at lower costs, quickly, and in a secure environment. Artios' proven Integrated Information Exchange (IIE) tools are used to construct data exchange, e-procurement, financial and catalog solutions to each company's unique needs.

Founded in 1995, with more than 70 accounts in production, Artios is a privately held, venture-funded company headquartered in Omaha, Neb., with operations in Houston, Texas. More information about Artios can be found at www.artios.com.