Blueprint Technologies Builds First Digital Communication Network for ARINC.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

McLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2000

Revolutionary VHF Digital

Link will improve airspace productivity and margin of safety for

airlines

Blueprint Technologies Inc., a leading provider of software solutions for maintaining critical e-business applications, has designed a state-of-the-art digital communications network for ARINC, the leading provider of air-to-ground data communications around the globe, to increase safety and efficiency among commercial aircraft.

Implementing the industry's best practice for developing software systems, Blueprint Technologies architected this revolutionary system using Rational Software's (NASDAQ: RATL) Rational Unified Process.

With an initial operating capability launch in September 2000, ARINC's VHF Digital Link Mode 2 (VDLM2) program will provide increased safety, quality and efficiency for passengers by allowing commercial aircraft around the world to send and receive messages in realtime concerning flight information, weather, scheduling and operations.

"Blueprint Technologies' expertise and solid track record in deploying critical e-business systems quickly and effectively has helped us maintain our leadership position in developing and operating communication systems for the aviation industry," stated Gerald Ford, vice president of Information and Aviation Engineering at ARINC.

VDL will offer pilots the most comprehensive communication service available to date as more and more pilots take to the sky.

When fully deployed in 2002, the $140 million project will have involved more than 100 full time Blueprint and ARINC employees working together for three years. Blueprint's unique side-by-side project management approach ensured strong communication among team members and on-time delivery of VDL Products.

The Blueprint Technologies' customized solution for VDL included identifying and defining reusable frameworks, executable architecture, and the iterative development process, including use cases, architectural, and object-oriented analysis and design. With these solutions, Blueprint was able to minimize development time and possible risks.

"This is the first time ever that such a critical digital communications network has been built, and Blueprint is proud to have facilitated such an exciting project," said Ralph Alexander, president and CEO of Blueprint Technologies. "The complexity of the VDL program required streamlined architecture, and Blueprint was able to provide ARINC with a clear focus and a strong solution using the Rational Unified Process, a very strong methodology we support to help us build complex software solutions for clients."

The VDLM2 system contains embedded real-time applications with a variety of complex project requirements and advanced wireless networking technologies. When Blueprint introduced the Rational Unified Process, the ARINC team was able to create a domain (business) model that captured key abstractions and patterns from the real world and could then be used as the basis for the design of the system.

About Blueprint Technologies

Founded in 1997, Blueprint Technologies Inc. (www.blueprinttech.com) provides software, services and training focused on component-based software architecture and development. Blueprint's mission is to help clients rapidly build high quality, distributed e-business systems that can scale to satisfy the needs of the largest customer-bases.

Blueprint Technologies' clientele includes a number of Fortune 500 companies in the financial, telecommunications and transportation industries.

About ARINC Incorporated.

ARINC is the leading provider of air-to-ground data communications around the globe. ARINC develops and operates communications and information systems for airports and the aviation and transportation industries and provides systems engineering, information technology, and integration solutions to the government and industry.

Founded in 1929 to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for aviation, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Md., U.S.A., with over 2,800 employees worldwide. Visit ARINC's Web site at www.arinc.com.