CrossWorlds Announces E-business Access Framework.

Offers CrossWorlds Users Loosely Coupled, Scalable Approach to

e-Business Integration; Complements CrossWorlds' XML Integration

Capabilities and RosettaNet Initiative

BURLINGAME, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000

CrossWorlds Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: CWLD), an e-business infrastructure software provider, today announced the CrossWorlds Access Framework, an open interface to allow trading partners to integrate intranet and extranet business processes via a loosely coupled, scalable architecture and across multiple standards-based XML message formats. The Access Framework is available as a separate feature of the CrossWorlds 3.0 infrastructure, which is currently available (see separate press release: "CrossWorlds Ships CrossWorlds 3.0 Providing Unified Platform for Intra-Enterprise and e-Business Integration," June 27, 2000).

"The Access Framework strives to provide our customers with two important pieces to execute successful e-business strategies. First, they need the ability to manage the integration with a growing number of trading partners via the Web," said Fred Amoroso, president and CEO of CrossWorlds Software. "Second, they need a flexible approach to enable that integration by supporting the multiple message formats in use today, such as XML, specific types of XML including RosettaNet, or new standards as they emerge."

The Access Framework allows enterprises to expose a server-side callable interface to trading partners through a Web server or Enterprise Java Beans (EJB) server so they can access CrossWorlds business objects and business process integration modules. This rapidly deployable method allows trading partners to access data from or send data to disparate applications within the host enterprise via a loosely coupled approach. This lightweight, synchronous interface can scale to process multiple real-time requests in parallel, making it well suited for processing queries that come directly from the Web.

For example, the Access Framework can be deployed for managing Web-based, real-time requests for order status. Alternatively, it can be leveraged by the host enterprise for querying multiple suppliers on inventory availability. This capability can be particularly useful in working with trading partners who do not have the resources to support automated processing.

CrossWorlds Flexible e-Business Support

Coupled with the Access Framework, CrossWorlds' XML Connector can provide users a closed loop approach to e-business. The XML Connector is a pre-defined and extensible cross-application interface designed specifically for handling any XML-based messages. While the Access Framework supports in-bound requests from trading partners, the XML Connector provides a method for replying to requests, thereby completing the cycle. For enterprises looking to leverage the XML-based RosettaNet standard, CrossWorlds' architecture complements it by pre-building business objects around the RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs). This provides a real-time integration environment for trading partners through automatic answer-back, cross-referencing and persistent transaction services. As a result, trading partners can avoid manual tasks such as transaction voiding if an order acknowledgment is not received after a specified number of hours.

Besides the Access Framework, CrossWorlds can also provide e-business integration via a tightly coupled model by deploying CrossWorlds InterChange Servers in each enterprise participating in the supply chain. This model supports closely maintained partnerships such as those with outsourced manufacturers, and can be deployed in tandem with the Access Framework to be able to meet the needs of a particular supply chain partnership.

Pricing and Availability

Access Framework is currently available as an additional feature to CrossWorlds InterChange Server 3.0 for a list price of $90,000.

About the CrossWorlds Platform

The CrossWorlds solution is an integration platform that reduces information technology costs by easing the ongoing maintainability of an enterprise's solution. It helps companies gain efficiencies inside the enterprise and over the Internet among suppliers and customers by uniting common business processes and sharing key information in real-time. CrossWorlds' product line supports a modular, incremental solution so underlying enterprise applications can be added, removed and changed over time. CrossWorlds' Java-based InterChange Server is application-independent so cross-application business processes are not affected if users upgrade to new versions of packaged applications or retire legacy systems.

About CrossWorlds Software, Inc.

CrossWorlds is an e-business infrastructure software provider that integrates internal operations and extends these operations over the Internet. CrossWorlds' products help traditional and emerging businesses to leverage the Internet as a platform to increase productivity, improve responsiveness to customer demands and enhance overall competitiveness. The company's customers include industry-leading companies such as Applied Materials, Caterpillar/Solar Turbines, Delphi Automotive, DuPont, Nortel Networks, Roche Group, Siemens AG, U S WEST and Whirlpool Corporation. CrossWorlds (Nasdaq: CWLD) is based in Burlingame, Calif. Additional information can be found at www.crossworlds.com.

Note to Editors: CrossWorlds and the CrossWorlds logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of CrossWorlds Software, Inc. in the United States and/or foreign countries. All other company or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.