Ascent Logic & Systemic Solutions Form Business Alliance to Address the Y2K Crisis Within the Banking Industry.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1998--Ascent Logic Corporation (ALC) developer of proprietary 2000 risk management software and Systemic Solutions, a technology management company, today announced the formation of a strategic alliance to address the Year 2000 issue within the banking industry. The two companies have complementary products and services that will be used to assist banks and their loan portfolio customers manage the risks associated with year 2000.

"The banking industry, specifically foreign banks are ill-equipped and ill-prepared to deal with the Year 2000 issues, said Larry McArthur, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Logic Corporation. "This alliance is designed to assist banks in assessing risk, determining priorities and ensuring their loan portfolio business survivability."

"Perhaps no other single industry is more critical to the survival and success of our global economies than the world banking community, said Tim Carlsen, President of Systemic Solutions." "With Ascent Logic, we can begin aligning the international banking communities Y2K efforts with those of the United States."

Ascent Logic and Systemic Solutions will be taking part in a series of seminars for the International Bankers Association in California (IBAC), in educating and providing essential information to participants on the millennium bug. The IBAC, with over 150 foreign bank members, $29 billion in assets, are behind U.S. banks in dealing with Y2K. The seminars that will take place in San Francisco and Los Angeles are part of a kick-off campaign on educating the banking industry on Y2K.

ABOUT ASCENT LOGIC CORPORATION

Ascent Logic Corporation founded in 1987, is the premier supplier of systems engineering tools and services which offers an automated approach to complexity risk management and related consulting and training services. ALC develops, markets and supports the RDD-100 product family for requirement's analysis, process and tool-suite to address the special problems associated with large legacy systems and the Year 2000 computer problem. Customers have realized additional value from use of the ALC product to support ongoing and future IS process definition and improvement. ALC's Year2000Plus software products are employed worldwide in J & H Marsh & McLennan's 2000 Secure, Year 2000 insurance program, and by global 5000 companies to manage risk and triage of their Year 2000 conversion efforts. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Ascent Logic Corporation is a privately held, venture-capital funded company with sales, support offices and affiliates in the United States, Europe and Asia. More information about ALC can be obtained on the Internet, by accessing: http://www.alc.com.

ABOUT SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS

Systemic Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a technology management company specializing in Y2K business solutions for the high-growth middle market. Systemic's broad range of consulting and problem management services assist companies in strategically managing their technology portfolios and enterprise-wide business operations. READINESS 2000, the company's suite of scaleable Y2K products, is designed for middle-market businesses of varying sizes and levels of technology dependence. Utilizing these products and services, Systemic Solutions' team of specialists identify Y2K exposures and deliver action plans to protect the viability of a business up to, during and beyond year 2000. Timothy Carlsen and Richard Bergeon founded the company in 1997. Mr. Bergeon is also the co-author with Peter de Jager of one of the world's widest selling books on the Y2K problem, Managing 00: Surviving the Year 2000 Crisis, published by Wiley Computer Publishing. Further information about Systemic Solutions can be obtained on the Internet by accessing:

http://www.systemicsolutions.com.

   CONTACT: Systemic Solutions Media Contact
             Nick Amonson
             Coltrin & Associates
             212-221-1616
             [e-mail]
                or
             Ascent Logic Media Contact
             Troy McCombs
             Joelle A. Kenealey
             Coltrin & Associates
             212-221-1616
             [e-mail]