Aston Brooke to Become FullTilt Solutions; Receives $60 Million Investment and Names New CEO.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2000

Aston Brooke, now FullTilt Solutions(TM), Inc., a pioneer in delivering large online relational database systems development and integration services and complete business-to-business Internet commerce solutions, today announced a $60 million investment commitment from Mellon Ventures, Inc., William E. Simon & Sons, and Grotech Capital Group.

The company will use the investment capital to accelerate organic expansion, drive sales, marketing, training, and recruiting efforts, and to build a national business-to-business Internet commerce solutions powerhouse.

Aston Brooke changed its name to FullTilt Solutions, Inc. to more appropriately define the company's position in the market place. FullTilt will deliver a unique and sophisticated end-to-end offering of products, tools, content, and services that breaks through the complex technology challenges confronting large companies and enables them to exploit the Internet.

FullTilt also named Tim Wallace as CEO. Wallace previously served as CEO of systems integrator XeroxConnect, an organization with over 2,000 employees. Wallace brings over 20 years of professional services industry experience ranging from high-tech start-ups to Big 5 consulting firms. As CEO, Wallace will work closely with former Aston Brooke CEO and FullTilt President, Bob Moyer to evolve FullTilt into one of the nation's leading Internet commerce solutions providers.

"I am extremely pleased that Tim is leading the team," said Moyer. "I have known Tim personally and professionally for more than 20 years, and his record of successfully leading high-growth, top-quality technology businesses speaks for itself," added Moyer. "Tim shares the values and the dedication to quality that have distinguished Aston Brooke over the years."

"Aston Brooke stands as a model of what can be accomplished through superior relationship marketing, proven experience, solid delivery, and technological vision," said Wallace. "The opportunity to build on Aston Brooke's 13 years of success is outstanding."

"Using Aston Brooke's rock-solid foundation and exceptional talent, we will build up and out," added Wallace. "We will initially expand geographically by acquiring exceptional companies in key markets. With this accomplished, we intend to grow organically from within rather than through additional acquisitions."

Through a combination of focused service offerings and cutting-edge products, FullTilt will differentiate itself from the competition. "By leveraging our proven experience in relational database systems development and supply chain optimization with our breakthrough transintegrated XML-based content management products, FullTilt will redefine the B2B Internet commerce solutions provider category," stated Moyer.

"Our end-to-end services and products will transcend those of competitors and intelligently accelerate the pace of business transformation," said Wallace." We will combine speed with strategy and our ability to deal with the technical and logistical complexities of Internet commerce to deliver superior value to our customers."

About Mellon Ventures, Inc.

Mellon Ventures, Inc. sources, evaluates, and structures potential equity investments for Mellon Ventures L.P., Mellon Financial Corp.'s venture capital investment partnership. Mellon Ventures currently maintains offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York.

These regional offices facilitate closer and more frequent face-to-face contact with their portfolio companies, and allow them to develop a network of value added relationships within each community.

About William E. Simon and Sons

William E. Simon & Sons ("WES&S"), a private investment and merchant-banking firm, was founded in 1988 by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, William E. Simon, and his sons William E. Simon, Jr. and J. Peter Simon. The Firm's core activities include the Real Estate Group, Private Equity Group, and Special Situations Group.

Since its formation, WES&S Private Equity Group has developed an investment approach that capitalizes on the transformational growth opportunities that a number of industries and individual companies face in the developing environment of a technology-driven economy.

The Firm pursues situations, which provide for superior growth prospects by leveraging its capital and expertise through an effective partnership with company management. The Firm has successfully deployed its strategy in targeted business platforms including, information technology services, education and selected segments of manufacturing.

Since 1994, the Firm has invested in excess of $375 million of equity. The Firm has offices in Morristown, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

About Grotech Capital Group

Founded in 1984, Grotech Capital Group is the largest private equity firm focusing exclusively on the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. With over $500 million in Capital under management and offices in Maryland and Northern Virginia, Grotech invests in Internet, Information Technology, Communications, Healthcare, Service Industries, Consumer Products, and Basic Industries.

Investments range from early stage growth companies to middle-market buyout opportunities.

About FullTilt Solutions

FullTilt Solutions is a leading Internet commerce solutions provider with a unique end-to-end offering of products, tools, and services. By combining speed with strategy and the ability to navigate the technical and logistical complexities of the business-to-business environment, FullTilt Solutions intelligently accelerates the pace of business transformation for large corporations. www.fulltiltsolutions.com