Evant Solutions Selects Active Software to Accelerate Deployment of Next-Generation Merchandise Management Solution for eBusinesses.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2000

Active Software, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASWX), a leading provider of eBusiness infrastructure software products, today announced that Evant Solutions Corporation (www.evant.net) will leverage Active Software's ActiveWorks(TM) Integration System to accelerate the adoption of a next-generation, Internet-based merchandise management solution with a low up-front investment and fast return on investment.

Evant's solution integrates and manages the complete merchandising spectrum, including inventory planning and forecasting, merchandise management, and decision support for all companies in the supply chain creating a new sales channel over the Web.

Delivered through an Application Service Provider (ASP) model and in combination with the ActiveWorks solution, Evant eliminates the need for organizations to custom integrate diverse back-end systems, combining merchandising operations and moving them to the Internet for maximum competitive advantage. The Evant solution will be demonstrated at NRF.com, Sept. 24-27, at the San Diego Convention Center, Booth 401.

"A comprehensive merchandise management solution that touches so many areas of an ecommerce organization's back- and front-end delivery systems normally provides vast integration challenges that stall the deployment -- and benefits -- of integrated, Web-based merchandise management," said Robert Feuerman, president and CEO of Evant.

"ActiveWorks dramatically simplifies the integration of our solution to other back-end applications, and therefore significantly accelerates the entire implementation process. Its ease of use and vast library of more than 60 application Adapters is perfect for our customers, who are struggling to combine enormous diversity of point solutions -- ranging from simple spreadsheets to complex ERP systems."

Evant is a multi-industry ecommerce solution, targeting both business-to-business and business-to-consumer suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, catalogers and retailers. It can be fully implemented in just three months, provides all production hardware and equipment and includes "high touch" support services from an expertly staffed call center.

"Many companies are reaching out to vendors to develop an easy-to-deploy solution that moves critical supply-chain operations to the Web quickly and effortlessly," said Jim Green, chairman and CEO, Active Software. "Evant delivers a promising solution that leverages a unique ASP-based delivery model and the ActiveWorks Integration System to remove supply chain headaches and provide ebusiness organizations with a streamlined solution to integrate and manage their popular applications."

About the ActiveWorks Integration System

Active Software's ActiveWorks(TM) Integration Systems provides a fast path to eBusiness integration inside the enterprise. ActiveWorks allows business processes to drive eBusiness integration and enables scalable implementation, from small pilot programs to geographically dispersed solutions.

ActiveWorks supports the major application, platform, and networking standards required by eBusiness solutions and provides an open platform for partners to build products and solutions that expand a customer's eBusiness capabilities. These technical benefits translate to faster time-to-market, enabling new revenue opportunities for today's major corporations.

About Evant

Evant provides inventory planning and forecasting, merchandise management, and decision support solutions for leading suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, catalogers, retailers and etailers. Evant is changing the way business is conducted through an innovative software solution designed from the ground up for the digital economy, built with best-in-class technologies, and delivered as an ASP service over the Web.

Evant is on the forefront of the ebusiness revolution by providing next generation software and services that will forever change the way business-to-business and business-to-consumer commerce is conducted. Evant's clients are using the solutions to more effectively manage their supply chain operations and drive profitability.

For more information, contact Evant at 450 Geary Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, Calif., 94102; phone [phone]; fax [phone]; www.evant.net

About Active Software, Inc.

Founded in 1995, Active Software, Inc., (Nasdaq:ASWX) is a leading provider of eBusiness infrastructure software products. Active Software's eBusiness platform, the ActiveWorks(TM) Integration System, automates end-to-end business processes within the enterprise. Active Software has approximately 225 customers in industries such as telecommunications, financial services, government, technology, utilities, distribution, manufacturing and transportation.

Active Software is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.activesoftware.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the proposed acquisition of Active Software by webMethods, Inc., Active Software's limited operating history, potential fluctuations in operating results, the company's substantial dependence on its ActiveWorks software products, the company's need to expand its sales and distribution channels, and the uncertain market acceptance of eBusiness integration software products. These and other risk factors are described in detail in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note to Editors: The Active Software logo, Active Software and ActiveWorks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Active Software Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.