Origin Enhances Worldwide Customer Support with Primus SolutionSeries Software.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1999--Primus, a leader in Web-based problem resolution and knowledge management software, today announced it has signed a $3 million contract with Origin B.V., a global information technology service company.

The contract includes an enterprise license for the full range of Primus(R) SolutionSeries(TM) software, which enables customer support organizations to capture and share knowledge, and content from KnowledgeBroker Inc. Origin will implement Primus' award-winning software globally, commencing with the Netherlands.

"I am so impressed with Primus' commitment to delivering products and services that facilitate the concept of solution-centered support, and I am convinced this contract will add a new dimension to our offerings," said Ids Zandleven, Global Customer Services, Origin. "At Origin, we are committed to our customers, ensuring we provide the best support wherever possible."

Origin provides services to support the customization and implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Origin has a long-term global relationship with Philips, providing support for help desks and applications from Baan and SAP. The implementation of SolutionSeries software will enable Origin to provide real time support to help desks by retrieving information about problems and using that information to solve similar problems that recur.

"As a global enterprise with operations in more than 30 countries, Origin recognizes the competitive advantage of being able to quickly disseminate and capture solution knowledge," said Michael Brochu, chairman and CEO of Primus. "By using our Web-based SolutionSeries software, Origin can leverage the knowledge of its employees, business partners, and customers to offer the highest level of customer support -- regardless of time zone or continent."

About Primus SolutionSeries Software

The Primus SolutionSeries family of problem resolution and knowledge management software is specifically designed to help companies harness the power of the Internet to foster customer relationships and solve problems more effectively. Customer service, technical support and help desk organizations use Primus products to create and manage a knowledgebase of up-to-the-minute solutions that can be easily accessed to solve customer problems on the spot. Primus SolutionPublisher(R) software allows customers to access solution knowledge directly via the Web and solve problems themselves. Primus SolutionExplorer(TM) software provides support professionals with Web-based access to solution knowledge and the ability to immediately capture and contribute new information to the knowledgebase. Primus SolutionBuilder(R) software enables support professionals to create solutions in the workflow, ensure knowledgebase quality and manage problem resolution processes. All SolutionSeries products integrate easily with leading customer support applications, including those from Clarify, Remedy, Siebel Systems (Nasdaq:SEBL) and Vantive (Nasdaq:VNTV).

Origin

Origin B.V., headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, provides a full spectrum of information technology services for global corporations and other complex "extended enterprises" through operations in 31 countries around the world with a staff of nearly 16,000 of which more than 3,500 are enterprise resource planning (ERP) consultants. Origin has strategic partnerships with ERP application leaders such as SAP, Baan, and QAD. Origin's customers include over 100 of the world's Fortune 500 firms. Origin is a member of the Royal Philips Electronics group of companies.

Primus

Primus is a leading provider of Web-based problem resolution and knowledge management software and services that enable support organizations to capture, share and manage knowledge worldwide. Primus customers include 3COM (Nasdaq:COMS), 3M (NYSE:MMM), Best Software, Inc. (Nasdaq:BEST), EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC), Entex, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702), Lucent Technology -- Microelectronics Group (NYSE:LU), Marcam Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRCM), SHL/MCI Systemhouse (Nasdaq:MCIC), Mosaix, Inc. (Nasdaq:MOSX), Motorola (NYSE:MOT), Network Associates (Nasdaq:NETA), Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT), Origin Managed Services, QAD Inc. (Nasdaq:QADI), Simplex Time Recorder Co., SOFTBANK Services Group and Vanguard Cellular. The Seattle-based firm is privately held with $32 million in venture funding from investors led by Trans Cosmos, Inc., Oak Investment Partners, Norwest Venture Capital, Nevis Capital Management, EnCompass Venture Partners and Piper Jaffray Venture Fund. Primus has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Primus Knowledge Solutions UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Primus, has offices in London. Primus KK, a joint venture with Trans Cosmos, Inc., markets and sells SolutionSeries products in Japan. For more information, contact Primus at 1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1900, Seattle, Washington, 98101; 206/292-1000; or visit the Primus Web site at www.primus.com.

Primus, SolutionSeries, SolutionBuilder, SolutionExplorer, SolutionPublisher, and their respective logos, and Primus Knowledge Solutions are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Primus. Other products and company names mentioned in this publication are the trademarks of their respective owners.