Beyond.com Appoints Ronald S. Smith as CEO and Board Member.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2000

E-commerce services provider Beyond.com(TM) (Nasdaq:BYND) announced today that it has appointed Ronald S. Smith, a former Merisel executive with a strong record of leading companies to profitability, as its chief executive officer and member of the board of directors. The appointment is pending approval of Smith's visa, as he is a Canadian citizen. Smith replaces Interim CEO Rick Neely, who returns to his position as CFO and senior vice president of finance and administration.

Smith brings more than 34 years of software and hardware industry expertise to Beyond.com. Most recently, he was president of Merisel, North American Distribution and Merisel, Canada. Previously, he was president and CEO of Cygnet Storage Systems of San Jose, and NCR Canada, the Canadian affiliate of NCR Corporation. Additionally, Smith served in senior management roles for industry leaders such as Honeywell Information Systems, Amdahl Corporation and Bull HN.

"Ron has a successful track record of building strong organizations, meeting operational challenges, growing revenues and leading companies to profitability," said Bill McKiernan, chairman of the board of Beyond.com. "His outstanding experience and leadership in the software and hardware industries, coupled with his strong relationships in distribution and product fulfillment, make him the ideal executive to lead Beyond.com to profitability in the e-commerce services marketplace."

"Beyond.com's primary expertise in building, managing and marketing successful Web stores allows it to provide a great value added service offering to its clients," Smith said. "As CEO, I look forward to executing the roadmap to facilitate the delivery of these services to manufacturers who can greatly benefit from adding an Internet sales strategy to their business models."

Smith holds a bachelor of science degree in math and physics from Dalhousie, and a bachelor of mechanical engineering degree from The Technical University of Nova Scotia.

Smith takes the reins from Rick Neely, who has been Beyond.com's interim CEO since January. "I would personally like to thank Rick for his dedication and hard work over the last few months," McKiernan said. "Rick aggressively pursued a cost cutting plan that reduced operational expenses by more than half and conserved the company's cash, which stood at $50.1 million at the end of Q1 2000. His leadership has positioned the company to excel in the growing e-commerce services market."

About Beyond.com

Beyond.com(TM) is an e-commerce services provider that builds, manages and markets online stores for businesses. The company also sells software and computer-related products to consumers and U.S. Government agencies. The company's BuyDirect Group provides eStores by Beyond.com, a suite of services that enables software developers, systems OEMs and hardware manufacturers to market and sell over the Internet. Beyond.com's Government Systems Group provides digital distribution of software and related services to a growing list of U.S. Government agencies, including the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). Beyond.com Corporation trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ("BYND"). More information on the company can be found in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This includes statements relating to expectations about Ronald S. Smith being employed as CEO of Beyond.com and his ability to help bring the company to profitability. Such statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including the risk that Mr. Smith is unable to obtain permission to work in the United States. Beyond.com's business is subject to risks including reductions in or cancellations of customer orders, changes in relationships with software suppliers, changes in relationships with strategic partners, changes in the product mix sold by the company, increased competition, inability to raise sufficient capital on satisfactory terms, or at all, and other factors described in the company's filings with the SEC. There can be no assurance that the company will achieve profitability.