Compaq and Lawson Software to Deliver Standards-based Healthcare Supply Chain Solutions.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 1999--

Initiative Brings Quick-and-Easy to Deploy Solutions to the

Competitive Healthcare Marketplace

To meet the healthcare industry's pressing need for easy and quick to deploy supply chain solutions, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ), and Lawson Software today announced a joint initiative with Microsoft Corporation, Ernst & Young Technologies, Inc. and Intel Corporation to bring advanced, flexible standards-based solutions to the healthcare market. These solutions address healthcare customers' needs for reliable healthcare supply chain solutions that are quick and easy-to-deploy.

"Our commitment to healthcare customers is to simplify and accelerate the planning, deployment and operation of enterprise solutions on Compaq's platforms so they can get faster and superior results from their technology investments," said Ric Miles, Vice President of North America Industry Solutions Marketing, Compaq Computer Corporation. "By coordinating our engineering efforts with our platform and application partners to fully stress-test and configure these solutions, Compaq is able to provide our healthcare customers with proven, risk-reducing solutions based on the latest technology."

"This initiative demonstrates the commitment of a leading group of technology partners to collaborate on eliminating a number of variables and redundancies that can slow or limit enterprise solutions," said Tony Marzulli, Director of Healthcare Industry Marketing, Lawson Software. "We're pleased to be showcasing our healthcare-specific functionality with such a proven group. Healthcare companies will benefit from the better integrated and optimized solutions that result from the joint efforts of Lawson and our partners on this initiative."

Customers Benefit from Tested-and-Proven Solutions

By working together and sharing technology and methods, the five firms have created an advanced process to drive value in the delivery of healthcare solutions. Since the solution will already be fully optimized and tested, it will allow for easy and quick implementation of a complete business solution, providing a faster return on investment and giving the customer the competitive edge today.

"We believe this initiative could bring some very compelling benefits to our clients in the healthcare industry," said Jim Hunt, CEO of Ernst & Young Technologies. "We are anxious to get started on the characterization of the solution and bring the benefits of this package to the market."

Availability

Completion of the testing and availability of an enterprise solution for U.S. healthcare customers is scheduled for the beginning of the second quarter of 1999. The solution will be made available to other geographies in the fourth quarter of 1999. Customers can find more information about this solution by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ, reference code AKK.

About Compaq

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at http://www.compaq.com, or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations are available by calling 1-800-345-1518.

About Lawson Software

Lawson Software, The Global Solutions Company, is a $200 million provider of self-evident, role-based Web solutions for financials, human resources, procurement, supply chain and performance management. With more than 2,500 mid- to large-sized corporate customers, and sales of its healthcare solutions growing at 163 percent, Lawson has distinguished itself competitively through a unique blend of feature-rich customer solutions, technology innovation and user-friendly support. Lawson Software has been acclaimed by technology analysts for its innovative and unique use of leading-edge technologies, like Self-Evident Applications(tm) (SEA) on the Web, and Drill Around(tm) for integrated, cross-application data access.

Red Herring Magazine names Lawson "the strongest private ERP company" and lists Lawson among the world's top 50 private companies. The Information Technology Association of America asserts Lawson is the first to be certified for Year 2000 compliance. Says the Meta Group, "Lawson gives its customers quantified savings by aiming their technology at saving corporations on overhead...a rare thing in the client/server world." Offering LAWSON INSIGHT for UNIX, NT and AS/400 platforms, Lawson has offices in 15 countries, more than 20 distributors worldwide and a 96 percent client retention over five years. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis and London. Additional information about Lawson Software is available by calling [phone].

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