Ascential Software Named as 'Company to Watch' in 2002 by CMP Media's Intelligent Enterprise Magazine.

Business/Technology Editors

WESTBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2001

Recognized for Leading Role in the Development of Enterprise Data

Integration Market

Ascential(TM) Software Corporation (NASDAQ: ASCL), the leading provider of Information Asset Management (IAM) software, today announced that CMP Media's Intelligent Enterprise magazine has named Ascential(TM) as a "Company to Watch" in the publication's January 1, 2002 issue. Ascential was selected as a company that excels at meeting the most critical information system demands of businesses today.

The editors of Intelligent Enterprise divided solutions providers into four foundation categories that are fundamental to complete IT solutions: intelligence, integration, infrastructure and collaborative commerce. Recognized in the category of "integration," Ascential was selected for the strength of the company's contributions to the data integration market. Ascential's IAM solutions allow companies to derive maximum value and profits by fully integrating and utilizing data from all information sources - including CRM, B2B, e-business, mainframe and data warehouse environments.

"Over the past year, the strength and continued adoption of our DataStage solutions have firmly established Ascential's undisputed leadership in the data integration market," said Pete Fiore, president of Ascential Software Corporation. "Our plans for 2002 are, indeed, well worth watching, as we build the industry's most scalable and complete infrastructure platform for managing enterprise information assets."

The publication's "Company to Watch" selection process involved a tremendous amount of research and assessment of the past year's coverage and reader feedback by the Intelligent Enterprise editorial staff. "Our editors recognize Ascential's position as an innovative company rooted in a history of technological excellence. The momentum Ascential has shown over the past year, combined with the market strength of its partners, demonstrates the company's potential to shape the future direction and development of the enterprise integration market," said Justin Kestelyn, editor-in-chief of Intelligent Enterprise.

About Intelligent Enterprise

Intelligent Enterprise is the only IT publication focused exclusively on the most critical issue in business today: unlocking the value of collected information for competitive advantage. Intelligent Enterprise shows business and technology professionals how to plan, deploy, and manage the strategic applications their companies depend on to improve decision making, optimize business performance, and maximize the value of customer relationships. Published 18 times per year, Intelligent Enterprise provides comprehensive coverage of the technologies and practices that promote the collection, storage, analysis, and distribution of business information. For more information, contact Tara Gibb at 650-513-4566 or [e-mail]. Access free subscriptions from the Web site at www.IntelligentEnterprise.com.

About CMP Media

CMP Media LLC (www.cmp.com) is a leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum--the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. Capitalizing on its editorial strength, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated media solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Its diverse products and services include newspapers, magazines, Internet products, research, direct marketing services, education and training, trade shows and conferences, custom publishing, testing and consulting.

About Ascential Software

Ascential Software Corporation is the leading provider of Information Asset Management solutions to the Global 2000. Customers use Ascential products to turn vast amounts of disparate, unrefined data into reusable information assets that drive business success. Ascential's unique framework for Information Asset Management enables customers to easily collect, validate, organize, administer and deliver information assets to realize more value from their enterprise data, reduce costs and increase profitability. Headquartered in Westboro, MA, Ascential has offices worldwide and supports more than 1,800 customers in such industries as telecommunications, insurance, financial services, healthcare, media/entertainment and retail. More information on Ascential Software can be found on the Web at http://www.ascentialsoftware.com.

(c) 2001 Ascential Software. All rights reserved. Ascential is a trademark of Ascential Software Corporation and/or its affiliates and may be registered in other jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of the owners of those marks.