Merlin Collaborates with BEA Systems on SOA Infrastructure at Veterans Benefits Administration; Infrastructure to Support Next-Generation Web-based Applications.

WASHINGTON -- Merlin International, one of the fastest growing federal IT solutions providers, today announced that it is working with BEA Systems, a world leader in enterprise infrastructure software, to implement an SOA infrastructure for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).

The resulting architecture, based on BEA WebLogic Server 9.0, will support future web-based applications enabling veterans to leverage a secure Web portal for such activities as checking a loan status, enrolling in a class, or accessing employment services. Merlin will design and develop the architecture and install systems administration procedures for maintaining the web-applications development infrastructure.

Using Merlin professional services, VBA plans to implement an industry standards-based, web-application development infrastructure that supports several hundred developers distributed across multiple sites. Merlin will have a lead architect on-site at the VBA to manage construction of the architecture as well as provide maintenance and support of associated applications. This will also provide the VBA with reduced complexity of systems integration and conserve VBA resources. Moreover, Merlin will be a long-term partner in the design and development for entirely new web applications built on BEA WebLogic Server 9.0.

"While it is important to support our troops during active combat, it is just as important to provide them with the tools and services they need once they return to civilian life," said John Trauth, executive vice president of government systems, Merlin International. "We are dedicated to implementing a robust infrastructure that facilitates many of the common administrative tasks that can create unnecessary delays in this vital support system."

After an extensive evaluation, the VBA selected BEA WebLogic Server 9.0 to anchor the infrastructure because of its high reliability, excellent uptime, and scalability. Moreover, it features a blended development model that is designed to enable flexibility in leveraging traditional Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) development paradigms and open source frameworks.

"BEA WebLogic is designed to ensure that common standards-based services can be composed once and leveraged throughout the enterprise, regardless of underlying technology," said Kelly Collins, general manager and vice president, public sector, BEA Systems, Inc. "Merlin was a logical partner for this implementation. The company's consulting and services teams have the expertise needed to accurately incorporate BEA technology with VBA's existing infrastructure, a combination that can help to move the agency closer to achieving its SOA strategy goals."

VBA is a division of the department of Veterans Affairs. The department is responsible for administering veterans' benefits in accordance with the eligibility requirements authorized by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

About Merlin International

Merlin International is one of the fastest growing public sector IT solutions providers in the United States. Based in Denver, with offices in Tyson's Corner, VA and St. Louis, Merlin delivers technology solutions and services for a broad range of organizations including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, civilian and intelligence agencies, as well as for state and local governments. The company's solution expertise spans Enterprise, Infrastructure and Security Solutions. Today, more than 500 clients count on Merlin's expertise to help them define, integrate, deploy, and maintain systems and networks that align information technology with program and business goals. Learn more about Merlin at www.merlin-intl.com.

BEA Systems, Inc. - Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking, including the statements regarding SOA architecture based on BEA WebLogic Server 9.0 and its support of Merlin's ("Customer(s)") web-based applications as described above, the plans, goals, completion, implementation, benefits, and details of the relationship between BEA and Customer; the development efforts, product delivery and other goals related to this relationship; and the features and benefits of BEA's and Customer's products as they relate to use by the VBA. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially include risks associated with: any unforeseen technical difficulties related to the development and optimization BEA's or Customer's products; the timing of additional investments of resources by BEA and Customer related to any joint development initiatives; and any software errors related to BEA's or Customer's products or the integration thereof. Readers should also refer to the risk disclosures set forth in BEA's 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2006 as filed with the SEC and subsequent reports filed thereafter by BEA from time-to-time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and BEA does not assume any obligation to update such statements nor the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in such statements.