Paperhub Introduces Industry Standard Markup Language for Paper and Printing; New Open Standard Protocol Facilitates E-commerce Applications for Printers, Mills and Merchants.

Business Editors

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 2000

Paperhub announced today a paper, printing and publishing markup language called PML, a new protocol for Internet-based commerce between buyers and sellers of paper and printing products. The production of PML comes as a result of Paperhub's partnership with webMethods and Appleton Papers to develop and implement integrated, end-to-end e-commerce solutions for paper industry members.

"The development of PML fills a technical void in this explosive marketplace and ensures the orderly growth of e-commerce in the paper industry," said Tom Gildea, chief technology officer of Paperhub. "PML provides a standards-based language for all participants in the paper and print marketplace and underscores Paperhub's commitment to the entire paper and print industry."

Based on Extensible Markup Language (XML), the emerging Internet standard for data sharing between applications, PML will enable Web-based integration of a range of transaction services and catalogs to facilitate efficient, cost effective system-to-system transactions. By enabling communication across diverse application platforms, the PML standard serves initiatives for both static commerce, such as catalog and purchase orders, as well as dynamic commerce, such as exchanges and contract negotiations.

By teaming with webMethods, a leading provider of open solutions for business-to-business integration, Paperhub will produce an e-marketplace solution for the paper industry that will significantly cut transaction costs and reduce sales cycles, resulting in more efficient inventory levels and ultimately affecting a company's bottom line. webMethods will provide a backbone to deliver PML, other existing XML standards, and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) connectivity.

"We are excited to be partnering with Paperhub to pioneer an open e-commerce standard for the paper industry. This initiative underscores webMethods' ongoing commitment to accelerating the adoption of critical B2Bi infrastructure for marketplaces and trading networks," said Charles Allen, co-founder and vice president, Product Marketing at webMethods, Inc. "PML will be a great advantage for the paper industry, providing for more seamless and efficient supply chain integration and management."

Paperhub's partnership with Appleton Papers in this initiative is indicative of both companies' commitment to utilizing the latest technology solutions to bring greater efficiencies to the traditional paper industry. Wisconsin-based Appleton Papers has produced high value-added paper products for more than 90 years.

Paperhub intends to present PML to the B2B Standards Committee, a technical committee of the Graphic Communications Association (GCA), as a foundation for what may ultimately become a GCA industry standard. The B2B Standards Committee works to define an improved business process and data model for information sharing within the graphic communications industry through the development of open, vendor-neutral interoperability standards.

About Paperhub

Paperhub's mission is to become the premier global digital marketplace for paper products. Paperhub enhances business-to-business relationships between paper mills, merchants and printers. Paperhub addresses the changing needs of the paper industry, providing an online resource that combines education with the ability to conduct e-commerce transactions. Paperhub will develop and technologically enable seamless end-to-end transactions. The company's Web site is www.paperhub.com.

About Appleton Papers

Since its founding in 1907, Appleton Papers is the world's leading producer of carbonless paper and a leading producer of direct thermal paper and specialty coated products. Headquartered in Appleton, Wis., Appleton Papers has manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company employs approximately 2,500 people.

About Graphic Communications Association (GCA)

The Graphic Communications Association is the leading global membership organization for advancing the processes of information and image management and distribution. GCA accomplishes this mission through the development and application of new technologies, standards, and management methods, while emphasizing member service, quality performance, and fiscal responsibility in all of the committees, programs, publications, research and other activities of the organization. For more information, visit www.gca.org or contact Pete Janhunen, VP, Communications and Marketing at [e-mail].