BMC Software Broadens Channel Offerings with New Partner Program; Program Further Strengthens the Company's Commitment to Providing Choices to Customers.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

COMDEX Fall 2000

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2000

Extending its commitment to the channel, BMC Software Inc. (Nasdaq:BMCS), the leading provider of e-business systems management, announced today at COMDEX an expanded channel partner initiative that will increase its ability to reach new customers and strengthen its reseller relationships. BMC Software's new program will provide channel partners access to the products, training, support and resources essential to deliver e-business management solutions to their customers. The program also provides mid-market customers with even greater access to a broader range of BMC Software solutions, along with the ability to obtain those solutions through their preferred providers.

Today's announcement plays an integral role in the go-to-market strategy of the introduction of BMC Software's new Service Provider Solutions business which provides a broad range of services and solutions for application and management service providers (see today's release). The new channel partner initiative -- Solutions Provider Program for E-business Management -- will further strengthen the company's commitment to providing choices to its customers. With this new program customers have a choice about how to purchase BMC Software's service level management solutions -- either directly from BMC Software, one of its authorized solutions providers, or as a service from a management service provider.

"We have had phenomenal success working with BMC Software in satisfying our clients," said Joe Blomker, president and CEO of Maryville Technologies, an authorized solutions provider of BMC Software's new Solutions Provider Program for E-business Management. "BMC not only provides us with the appropriate tools to deal with the challenges our clients are facing, they also provide us with the education and training to ensure the most suitable solutions are being deployed. With the help of BMC Software we are able to address what the client is really challenged with at the highest level while expanding our services to a broader customer base."

The Solution Provider Program for E-business Management offers to VARs and integrators a comprehensive suite of management products for their customers' E-business infrastructures. As part of the program, these IT providers are given the enhanced education and certification they need to sell and support these products. The program allows mid-market customers to obtain e-business management products and services through their preferred source: turnkey VARs and integrators. With the help of BMC Software's PATROL(R) for E-business Management solutions, channel partners are now able to broaden their offerings to the mid-market customers that they work with on a daily basis.

"Today's announcement of the Solutions Provider Program for E-business Management is another proof point of BMC Software's commitment to its channel partners," said Bill Ridlehuber, director of Distribution Strategy and Business Partner Programs for BMC Software. "This program, along with the announcement of BMC Software's new Service Provider Solutions Business Unit, further strengthens our relationship with our partners in the channel. We understand there is more to these relationships than merely providing products and services for a distribution channel. Education is the key to making these partnerships work and we are here to deliver that critical element."

E-business Management

BMC Software's E-business Management solutions allow customers to extend the capabilities of PATROL to manage their entire Web site, not just Web servers. It also gives them the ability to monitor their e-business from the end-user's perspective. The Solution Provider Program for E-business Management helps participating VARs deliver those solutions to make this happen.

PATROL for E-business Management includes:

-- PATROL for Internet Services -- Provides a comprehensive management solution
for e-business environments, with particular emphasis on Internet-based
services and Web-based applications.

-- SiteAngel 2000(TM) -- Enables companies to manage the "customer experience"
at their Web sites with the unique ability to simulate a customer's end-to-end
Web site experience from outside the firewall.

-- PATROL for Check Point Firewall-1 -- Provides a cost-effective, powerful
application management solution for availability and integrity monitoring of
Check Point Firewall/1 firewall nodes and management servers, ensuring 24x365
availability.

-- PATROL for Microsoft Site Server, Commerce Edition -- Ensures the highest
availability and performance of Microsoft Site Server and Site Server Commerce
Edition components.

This new program builds upon the Solution Provider Programs that were launched by BMC Software earlier this year. These Solution Provider Programs, announced in May, are built around delivering server, production and security management solutions to the mid-market, defined by BMC Software as $1.5 billion dollar companies and below. These programs, targeted at VARs, integrators and other IT providers, deliver training, support and incentives to resellers who focus on these solution sets.

Solution Provider Program Benefits

Partners who sign up for a Solution Provider Program receive the following benefits: product discounts, qualified leads, a dedicated Channel Sales Representative, priority technical support, reimbursable technical & sales training and dedicated marketing support (both people and funding). They also have the ability to resell BMC Software support & maintenance and receive access to the PartnerSource(TM) Web site, BMC Software's secure partner extranet, for sales tools and other resources.

"Our goal is to make available to our Solution Providers the appropriate training, tools and resources so they can do business with us more easily and spend their time growing their own business, " said Ridlehuber. "For us to be successful, our channel partners must be successful."

Solution Provider Program Requirements

Companies wishing to join the Solution Provider Program must have an e-business focus and are required to complete the training and pass certification. For additional information, please visit our Web site at http://partners.bmc.com/ or call 800/841-2031.

About PATROL

PATROL is a broad, integrated solution that enables the rapid deployment of advanced service level management through a unique continuous improvement process. The process not only enables customers to measure service in terms of end-user response time of business transactions and publish reports on compliance against service level agreements (SLAs), but it also uniquely allows for automated diagnosis of the root cause of failures and prediction of the impact of business change on the quality of service delivered. From a single graphical console, PATROL provides centralized control and helps to proactively manage systems, applications, databases and resources across e-business enabled enterprises. More information on PATROL and its benefits can be found at www.bmc.com/patrol.

About BMC Software

One of the world's largest independent software vendors, BMC Software delivers the most comprehensive e-business systems management software with the fastest guaranteed implementation. This Service Assurance(TM) strategy enhances the availability, performance and recoverability of companies' business-critical applications. Companies can use this management methodology to demonstrate their ability to deliver optimal service to their customers and partners by joining BMC Software OnSite(TM), a certification program that includes solution implementation and regular HealthChecks performed by BMC Software Professional Services.

BMC Software is a Forbes 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, with fiscal year 2000 revenues exceeding $1.7 billion. The company is headquartered in Houston, with offices worldwide. For more information please visit BMC Software's Web site at www.bmc.com, or call 800/841-2031 or 713/918-8800.

BMC Software, BMC Software OnSite, the BMC Software logos, and all other BMC Software product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of BMC Software Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective companies. (c) 2000 BMC Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of the term "partner" in this Web site is intended in the colloquial sense of a valued business relationship, and does not indicate the existence of or an offer to enter into a legal partnership, joint agency or other relationship involving shared ownership or shared liability with BMC Software and/or any of its affiliates.