Crossroads 2001 A-List Awards Applications Due by Friday, September 15, 2000.

Business/Technology Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2000

Customer-Focused Awards Program Identifies the Best New Products

and Services for Today's Critical Business Challenges

Open Systems Advisors, Inc. (OSA) is accepting applications for its Crossroads(R) 2001 A-List Awards through Friday, September 15, 2000. A record number of applications have been received to date.

The Crossroads A-List Award Program recognizes technology companies whose products or services meet two key criteria:

-- They address today's most critical business priorities -- determined by primary research with business decision makers

-- They are newly proven to deliver real business results to customers in the field -- determined by a second round of primary research with installed customers.

Business and technology executives at user organizations use the Crossroads A-List Awards to make faster, better-informed technology purchase decisions. The financial marketplace uses the Awards as a tool for translating the value delivered for customers to superior value for investors (see Crossroads 2000 A-List Award Winners Outperform the Market http://www.crossroads-osa.com/CrossroadsViews/Views_Volume3.PDF).

Products and services eligible for the Crossroads 2001 A-List Awards must fall into three categories that correspond to the major business priorities for IT investments: commerce and community, operations and fulfillment; and business and technology infrastructure. The application and qualification process includes vendor presentation by selected companies, followed by interviews with customer references.

Companies interested in applying for the Crossroads 2001 A-List Awards can obtain an application and detailed instructions online at www.crossroads-osa.com or by contacting Jennifer Richards at [e-mail] or [phone] ext. 13.

Crossroads 2001 A-List Award winners will be recognized at the annual Crossroads Conference to be held during the first quarter of 2001. Vendor participation at the Crossroads Conference is limited to Crossroads A-List Award winners. The validation of the Crossroads A-List Awards and the onsite presence of a reference customer make the Crossroads Conference the premiere reference-selling opportunity.

About Open Systems Advisors, Inc.

Founded in 1989, Open Systems Advisors, Inc. (OSA) provides a real-world perspective on using new technology in business. OSA's research is based on an ongoing and in-depth dialogue with hundreds of seasoned IT executives and business leaders who are using emerging technologies to achieve business results. OSA reports the Crossroads Decisions, awards the Crossroads A-List and produces the Crossroads Conference.

For additional information, contact the company at Open Systems Advisors, Inc., 268 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116, [phone] or visit http://www.crossroads-osa.com.

(R)Crossroads is a registered trademark, and (TM)Crossroads A-List, Crossroads Decisions and bizno-tech are trademarks of Open Systems Advisors, Inc.; any other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.