Connet & Company Signs New CEOs for Bidcom and Scriptics; Two Leading `E-Business' Companies are Latest Successes for New CEO Search Firm.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ATHERTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2000

Connet & Company, a new breed CEO search firm focused on quickly solving the leadership needs of fast-growing Internet companies, today announced that it has completed CEO searches for two leading "e-business" companies -- Bidcom, Inc. and Scriptics Corporation.

Connet & Company has successfully placed Doug Sabella, former president of the Communications Applications Group of Lucent Technologies, as president and chief executive officer of Bidcom, and Tom Thomas, former chairman and chief executive officer of Vantive Corporation, as president and chief executive officer of Scriptics.

"The demand for executive leadership, especially among Internet-related companies, is unprecedented," said Mel Connet, co-founder of Connet & Company. "Despite the competition for talent, we've been fortunate to complete eight high-profile CEO searches since we founded the firm just eight months ago. New Internet ventures can't afford long search cycle times. That's where we can make a difference, because we are focused on quickly delivering results."

With demand for senior-level talent outpacing the supply of strong candidates, the competition among Internet companies for chief executives has become intense. According to recent reports by The Wall Street Journal and other business publications, the number of vacant Internet-related CEO positions has soared from less than 100 to more than 400 during the last year, causing search timeframes to balloon. Recognizing clients' need to speed this process, Connet & Company's recruitment team streamlines each phase of the placement cycle to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

About the Placements

Prior to joining Bidcom, Doug Sabella spent the last fifteen years as a fast-track executive at Lucent Technologies, where he most recently was responsible for a $2.2 billion revenue, 3,500 person division which included messaging, customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, collaboration and Internet protocol solutions businesses. Before Lucent, Sabella held senior positions at AT&T and Paramount Pictures, and earlier in his career he co-founded Echo Logic, a software tools start-up.

"Connet & Company was relentless in seeking out stellar candidates for this critical leadership position," said Daryl Magana, Bidcom's founder and chairman. "With Connet & Company as our partner, we were able to attract one of Lucent's most senior executives and close the search in less than 80 days. We couldn't be more pleased with the results."

Prior to joining Scriptics, Tom Thomas served as chairman and chief executive officer of Vantive Corporation, a leading CRM provider. In this role, Thomas was instrumental in leading a turnaround and returning the company to aggressive growth and profitability. Before Vantive, Thomas served as CIO and senior vice president of e-business for 3Com Corporation, and earlier in his career he served as CIO for Dell Computer Corporation.

"Connet & Company found us exactly the right person to build Scriptics into a defining B2B infrastructure company," said Bruce Golden of Accel Partners, a leading venture capital firm and investor in Scriptics. "They understand the dynamics of building companies, they know what good candidates look like, and they act very quickly. Connet & Company has consistently delivered results for Accel Partners."

About Bidcom

Bidcom , Inc., the building industry's leading e-business services provider, helps companies manage risk, drive down costs, and complete building projects on time. Bidcom's services are delivered through the Bidcom e-Marketplace -- the only location on the Internet where building industry professionals can collaborate with one another, conduct e-commerce and manage every facet of their business. Bidcom is privately held and has received venture financing from Internet Capital Group, Partech International, Hines, GE Corporation, and Oracle Corporation.

About Scriptics

Scriptics is a leading supplier of solutions for automating, customizing, and managing complex B2B relationships over the Internet. Since its founding in 1998, the company has helped more than 350 companies solve complex integration problems. Scriptics is privately held, has received venture financing from Accel Partners, and has formed strategic relationships with a variety of global corporations including Cisco, AOL's Digital City, Vignette, Motorola, Synopsys, Oracle, Ariba and RedHat.

About Connet & Company

Connet & Company is a new breed CEO search firm focused on the unique needs of fast-growing Internet companies. With collective experience spanning more than 300 successful senior management search assignments, Connet & Company's team of professionals are empowered by an innovative organizational design and culture that promotes efficiency and teamwork. Committed to delivering superior results quickly, Connet & Company leverages its global network, advanced research capabilities, and industry knowledge to help client's solve their leadership needs. For additional information, contact Connet & Company at 650/327-3765 or send email inquiries to [e-mail].

Note to Editors: Connet & Company is a trademark of Connet & Company. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby recognized.