webMethods Introduces Value Added Services Program.

Business/Technology Editors

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2000

Through B2B.com Dun & Bradstreet, FedEx, Slam Dunk Networks and

VeriSign Provide Solutions to Rapidly Extend B2B E-commerce 

Functionality to Trading Networks, Marketplaces

and Global 2000 Companies

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, introduces the webMethods Value Added Services program to enable trading networks, marketplaces and Global 2000 companies to extend their B2B e-commerce capabilities by providing a wide array of pre-packaged, plug-and-play services that will enhance the functionality of any B2B trading network or marketplace. The program's charter members include Dun & Bradstreet, FedEx Corp., Slam Dunk Networks and VeriSign (Nasdaq:VRSN). The webMethods Value Added Services program will be available later this year through B2B.com, the company's Web-based rapid trading partner integration platform. Both services were unveiled today during the webMethods B2Bi Leadership Forum. (See related press releases for more details.)

In today's highly competitive business environment, organizations are eager to harness the power of B2B e-commerce initiatives to further extend the connections and business processes between buyers and suppliers. Many companies are seeking solutions that provide a fast and easy way to connect their trading partners and enable them to extract additional value from trading networks and marketplaces. Through easy-to-use, integration-ready solutions, the webMethods Value Added Services program will enable companies to access the mission-critical services needed to rapidly deploy and extend the functionality of their B2B trading networks.

"The webMethods Value Added Services program clearly addresses the next step in B2B trading networks--the seamless integration and automation of all business processes over the Internet," said Phillip Merrick, president and CEO of webMethods, Inc. "webMethods continues to demonstrate its leadership role by introducing easy-to-use, plug-and-play services that allow trading networks, marketplaces and Global 2000 companies to rapidly extend and integrate enhanced business-to-business e-commerce capabilities to their extensive network of buyers and suppliers."

As webMethods continues to expand the Value Added Services program, the full spectrum of solutions will include network infrastructure services such as security and archiving; application services including auctioning and trading partner registration; and business-level services such as financial and credit services, logistics and quality assurance.

Current participants include:

Dun & Bradstreet offers seamless solutions for identifying and qualifying business partners in Internet trading networks. Leveraging its world-class database of over 58 million companies worldwide and over a century of industry leadership in providing B2B information, D&B helps companies make smarter business decisions. The capabilities offered by D&B enable companies conducting e-business to identify and check the credit and payment history while qualifying trading partners, providing a way to seamlessly execute deals on-line. With real-time access to D&B information, e-commerce transactions from unknown entities can be handled with greater ease and confidence.

"Dun & Bradstreet is pleased to work with webMethods to enable Internet commerce. The webMethods relationship provides D&B with a unique opportunity to extend our strategy of embedding D&B's information and services in Internet trading networks. Dun & Bradstreet brings deep experience and knowledge to support the critical needs of large companies conducting B2B e-commerce," said Frank Fitzsimmons, senior vice president, Dun & Bradstreet.

FedEx provides customers with the convenience of tracking package status from shipment through delivery.

"FedEx is committed to offering access to shipment information in the most convenient, easily integrated form possible," said Laurie Tucker, senior vice president of Global Product Marketing for FedEx. "When available, organizations can easily integrate the competitive advantage of the FedEx global transportation network and reliable delivery into their customer service."

Slam Dunk Networks' internet-based infrastructure provides rapid integration of trading partner systems with business quality levels of guaranteed transaction delivery, security, reliability, archiving, managed network operations and non-repudiation. By utilizing this worldwide infrastructure, both corporate trading communities and B2B marketplaces can quickly connect to and manage large numbers of trading partner systems.

"Through the webMethods Valued Added Services program, trading partners around the world utilizing webMethods B2Bi solutions can easily take advantage of Slam Dunk Networks' infrastructure to rapidly establish highly reliable, dependable connections between their systems," said Suzanne Farley, vice president of business development for Slam Dunk Networks, Inc.

VeriSign provides authentication and validation services to webMethods customers through the integration of its B2B Trust Services with the webMethods solution. Once a partner has registered automatically with their sponsoring company via the webMethods solution, the VeriSign Value Added Service will enable trading partners to seamlessly enroll for and acquire digital certificates through an automated interface. Digital certificates are electronic credentials, which enable both online authentication as well as the ability to digitally sign transactions and communications conducted across a B2B network. These services are key to providing a trust infrastructure for B2B transactions and to enabling other value added services such as digital receipts and secure electronic payments.

"webMethods continues to lead the way in providing robust, scaleable and customer-focused B2B solutions," said Anil Pereira, vice president of VeriSign's Internet Services group. "With the introduction of the webMethods Value Added Services program, trading exchanges, marketplaces and Global 2000 enterprises will have a further set of services to enhance their mission-critical B2B initiatives."

Pricing and Availability

webMethods Value Added Services will be available through B2B.com, which is currently in beta and will be generally available in third quarter 2000. Subscription-based pricing will be available later this year.

For more information about the webMethods Value Added Services program or about becoming a part of the program, please contact Catherine Brown at webMethods, Inc. by phone at 703-460-2500, via e-mail at [e-mail] or on the Web at http://www.webMethods.com.

About webMethods, Inc.

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM) is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). Leveraging the open standards of the Internet, the award-winning webMethods B2B(TM) family of products provide the B2Bi infrastructure enabling Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces to connect customers, suppliers and partners to form real-time B2B trading networks. webMethods B2B allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers and substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S. and Europe. webMethods has more than 160 customers worldwide--from Global 2000 leaders such as Dell, Eastman Chemical Company, Lucent, Bell Atlantic and W.W. Grainger to major B2B marketplaces like ChemConnect, e-STEEL and Ventro. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Commerce One, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, KPMG, Microsoft, Sterling Commerce and SAP AG. More information about the company can be found at www.webMethods.com.

webMethods and webMethods B2B are trademarks of webMethods, Inc. All other company and product names are property of their respective owners.

This press release contains various remarks about the future expectations, plans and prospects of webMethods that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results of webMethods may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those discussed in the Risk Factors section of webMethods' recent Registration Statement on Form S-1, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.