IONA's Orbix E2A Chosen to Support the Sicap Project for the Italian Ministry of Justice; Orbix E2A to Support Application Integration and Cross Agency Collaboration.

Business/Technology Editors

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2002

IONA(R), the leading e-Business Platform provider for Web Services Integration(TM) (NASDAQ: IONA), today announced that the Italian Ministry of Justice has chosen the Orbix E2A(TM) Application Server Platform for its Sicap (Sistema Informativo per la Cooperazione Applicativa) project. The Sicap project aims to create a common infrastructure within the Ministry to support application integration and to handle queries and transactions with the highest level of security.

The main goal of the Sicap project was the creation of a cooperative Information System through the implementation of several functional pilot projects aimed to manage integration and collaboration capabilities within the Ministry, and between the Ministry and other organizations including national agencies, local governments and Chambers of Commerce. Further goals of the project were the definition of an open and scalable integration architecture that could be implemented quickly by the Ministry and the design and implementation of a set of procedures aimed to provide an adequate level of security.

As the software infrastructure for the Sicap project, IONA's Orbix E2A Application Server Platform enabled the Ministry to implement a client/server environment based on CORBA. The Orbix E2A Application Server allowed for the integration of internal Ministry applications, as well as collaboration with other organizations for effective and secure cross-agency cooperation.

"The Italian government has always been on the front line for the development of cutting-edge projects, targeted to simplify citizens' lives," said Nicola Zenesi, Italian country manager of IONA. "Once again, the solidity and reliability of IONA's solutions has been recognized by the market, thus allowing us to play an important role in such a relevant project."

A temporary enterprise consortium led by Integris, and including companies such as Compaq and I&T ran the project. All activities were conducted in cooperation and under the direct supervision of a specific Technical Committee created by the Ministry of Justice with the participation of AIPA (Autorita Italiana per la Pubblica Amministrazione).

Orbix E2A Product Lines

The Orbix E2A Web Services Integration Platform -- which combines business-to-business, enterprise integration, and application development functionality -- is built on Web services standards and a service-oriented architecture to cut the cost of application integration both inside and outside the firewall. The Orbix E2A Web Services Integration Platform provides all the tools and the management services required for reliable, scalable, and secure dynamic data exchange, business process automation, and composite applications. The Orbix E2A Web Services Integration Platform is available in three editions: XMLBus, Partner and Collaborate.

The Orbix E2A Application Server Platform is the most deployed application server technology in the industry. Orbix E2A Application Server Platform combines the scalability of CORBA and the productivity of J2EE, with Web services standards and integration adapters for the most widely used platforms and applications. The Orbix E2A Application Server Platform provides the management services required for reliable, scalable, and secure applications. The Orbix E2A Application Server Platform is available in three editions: J2EE Technology, Standard and Enterprise.

About IONA

IONA is a leading e-Business Platform provider for Web Services Integration. IONA Orbix E2A(TM), which consists of the Orbix E2A Web Services Integration Platform and Orbix E2A Application Server Platform, enables the flow of information across disparate systems and the liberation of application assets for new business opportunities. Founded in 1991, IONA(R) (NASDAQ: IONA) is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with U.S. headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. The company had revenues of $181 million in 2001 and employs more than 900 people in more than 30 offices worldwide. For additional information about IONA, visit our Web site at http://www.iona.com.

IONA, IONA Technologies, the IONA logo, Orbix, E2A, End 2 Anywhere, End To Anywhere, Orbix E2A, IONA E2A, IONA e-Business Platform, iPortal Application Server, SureTrack, IONA XMLBus, Adaptive Runtime Technology, Orbacus, Orbix/E, IONA University and Total Business Integration are trademarks or registered trademarks of IONA Technologies PLC and/or its subsidiaries. Java and J2EE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc in the United States and other countries. CORBA is a trademark or registered trademark of the Object Management Group, Inc in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks that may appear herein are the property of their respective owners.