DataChannel Acquires Electronic Data Foundry to Further Expand XML Expertise in Data Management for Its Enterprise Information Portal Solutions.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999--

DataChannel, Inc., announced today that it will broaden its expertise in data management and database driven environments for Enterprise Information Portals by acquiring Electronic Data Foundry, Inc. (EDF).

EDF is a leading consulting services company in document and information management specializing in the implementation of the open industry standards including XML, SGML, HTML, DSSSL and HyTime. The addition of EDF strengthens DataChannel's professional services offerings by expanding the data management core competency which is critical for building effective Enterprise Information Portals.

EDF

EDF was founded by Mr. Eric Freese, who has more than 10 years of experience in the area of open-standards based information and document management. Mr. Freese and his team bring a rich background of successful projects and experience including all phases of research, development, and implementation for the integration and management of database systems and microcomputer technologies in business, education and government environments. EDF is an ideal addition to DataChannel's Professional Services Division because of its strong expertise in the development of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) products and implementation of related technologies including eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Document Style Semantics and Specification Language (DSSSL), Hypermedia/Time-Based Structuring Language (HyTime), Topic Maps, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and the World Wide Web (WWW).

"Regardless of the vendor of choice or the tools used to build applications and solutions, if an enterprise data management strategy is implemented using open-standards, a company will be insulated from closed, proprietary systems which hamper interoperability between systems, applications, and their data. Mr. Freese's expertise in this area is unparalleled in the industry. He and his team will solidify our services group and provide us with added depth and expertise in this rapidly evolving market," said Carla Corkern, vice president DataChannel Professional Services, formerly president of ISOGEN International.

EDF will continue to service its customers from its current location in Iowa, which will become a regional office for DataChannel's Professional Services Division. Mr. Freese and his team work with and report to Ms. Corkern as they become integrated into her group.

EIP Solutions from DataChannel

While many definitions of an Enterprise Information Portal (EIP) exist, DataChannel's solution consists of two components, a portal server which manages personalized data and publishing and a data abstraction layer that provides ubiquitous access to information throughout an enterprise and across the Internet. This abstraction layer or backbone is built by DataChannel's professional services team by creating an open-standard data layer which normalizes information in a company's IT systems. EDF has unique expertise in data management that will allow a corporation to expose information seamlessly using industry standard solutions.

An effective EIP cannot be delivered through a shrink-wrap, off-the-shelf product. It is a solution that relies on expert professional services to identify the disparate sources of information and develop the methods for that information to be exposed, shared and managed. "With over a decade of experience in open-standards based document and data management solutions spanning multiple industries, EDF's expertise lies in understanding how to structure and intelligently manage information. I believe that joining DataChannel will complete the puzzle by allowing users to gain access to that information in a personalized way and do it over the web. Becoming part of DataChannel's Professional Services Division allows us to better serve our customers with greater resources than could be accomplished independently," said Eric Freese, President of EDF.

About DataChannel

Privately held and founded in 1996, DataChannel, Inc. is an Enterprise Solutions company offering XML-based, Information Management solutions and services. DataChannel's offerings unleash the power of Enterprise Information Portals (EIPs), which facilitate the way companies share information with employees, vendors, customers, and consumers across Intranets, Extranets, and the Internet. These solutions are offered through DataChannel's XMLFramework(TM), an extensive portfolio of software and services designed to capitalize on the Information Economy through the use of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). It includes DataChannel RIO solution software that connects users of the portal to relevant information sources. Information sources may originate from Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT), IBM (NYSE:IBM), Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO), and SAP (Nasdaq:SAP). Data may also originate from other sources including: external newsfeeds such as NewsEdge (Nasdaq:NEWZ); search engines such as Excite (Nasdaq:XCIT), InfoSeek (Nasdaq:SEEK), and Lycos (Nasdaq:LCOS); relational databases, from companies such as Informix Software (Nasdaq:IFMX), Sybase (Nasdaq:SYBS), and Oracle (Nasdaq:ORCL); Enterprise ERP applications, such as, PeopleSoft (Nasdaq:PSFT) and Baan (Nasdaq:BAANF); and enterprise corporate data from companies such as Wall Data (Nasdaq:WALL news).

DataChannel simplifies the process of delivering critical information to the right people at the right time. To learn more about DataChannel, visit the company's Website at http://www.datachannel.com, or write [e-mail].

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