webMethods Introduces the B2B Rapid Integration Team.

Business/Technology Editors

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

As Part of B2B.com, Leading Systems Integrators Including Deloitte

Consulting, EDS, Hitachi Data Systems, KPMG Consulting, Lante and SeraNova Launch webMethods Practices to Provide Rapid Trading Partner

Integration Solutions

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today introduced the webMethods B2B Rapid Integration Team, to provide consulting support and services to rapidly integrate trading partners with trading networks built on webMethods B2B. The B2B Rapid Integration Team will be available through B2B.com (www.b2b.com), the company's Web-based rapid trading partner integration platform. Both announcements were made today during webMethods B2Bi Leadership Forum. (See related press releases for additional details.)

The B2B Rapid Integration Team is made up of twelve of the e-commerce and Internet industry's leading systems integrators and consultants including AppNet (Nasdaq: APNT), Deloitte Consulting, EDS (NYSE: EDS), Eleris, Hitachi Data Systems, InfoKall, Inventa (Nasdaq: INVA), KPMG Consulting Inc., Lante (Nasdaq: LNTE), Metalogic Systems, Rare Medium (Nasdaq:RRRR) and SeraNova. To join the B2B Rapid Integration Team, each of these firms has committed to building a practice of at least 100 trained consultants focused on implementing webMethods B2B solutions.

"webMethods B2B has become the de facto solution for building B2B trading networks for both Global 2000 companies and major B2B marketplaces," said Phillip Merrick, president and CEO of webMethods, Inc. "The B2B Rapid Integration Team ensures that our customers can rapidly extend the reach and benefits of their B2B initiatives to the largest number of trading partners possible. This `who's who' of systems integrators provides a cost-effective and rapid solution for trading partner integration. With B2B.com and the B2B Rapid Integration Team, webMethods continues to break down the barriers to building out extensive trading networks by providing the most comprehensive resource for

B2B integration software, methodology and services."

With more than 600 e-Business engagements, 2,400 e-Business consultants and its recognized industry expertise, Deloitte Consulting helps clients to create, defend and/or reinvent their business and economic models by guiding them through the crushing complexity of the digital economy.

"We are very excited about the success we have experienced with webMethods in the marketplace. Through our leadership in the development of the B2B Rapid Deployment methodology, Deloitte Consulting ensures customers a seamless deployment of webMethods B2B, thus allowing them to quickly begin leveraging the growing number of B2B marketplaces," said Jeff Glueck at Deloitte Consulting.

EDS is a recognized global leader in providing e-business and information technology services to 9,000 business and government clients in more than 50 countries around the world.

"We are pleased to join the B2B Rapid Integration Team and bring our integration expertise and experience to trading partners seeking to integrate with B2B trading exchanges," said Robb Rasmussen, vice president of EDS' E.solutions Digital Value Chain Practice.

Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) is a leading provider of business solutions for the world's most information-intensive corporations.

"The B2B Rapid Integration Team provides an excellent means for Hitachi Data Systems to build on its newly announced alliance with webMethods," said John Mulach, Hitachi Data Systems vice president of Enterprise Solutions. "This program will allow our consultants to provide trading networks with a cost-effective, timely method for connecting to any number of trading networks."

As a leading Internet integrator, KPMG Consulting Inc. provides a complete range of solutions including business strategy, web-based architecture, infrastructure, technology enabling, branding, design, and hosting/outsourcing. KPMG Consulting's international member organizations have 17,000 professionals in 160 countries.

"webMethods is key in our design and deployment of advanced B2B solutions. As part of the B2Bi team, we are able to leverage our experience to ensure clients realize a rapid return on eBusiness investments," said Gregory Reh, director of the KPMG webMethods alliance.

Lante, a leading Internet Services company, formed a strategic partnership with webMethods in December 1999 to provide a seamless complement of business-to-business strategy, process reengineering, delivery management, technology, and support to enhance current and propel new revenue streams for companies in the digital information age.

"Lante and webMethods have worked together to successfully implement a number of eMarket solutions. Joining webMethods' B2B Rapid Integration Team will further enhance this partnership and provide our customers with an even higher level of B2Bi services," said Chris Davis, managing director of Lante's eMarkets Center of Excellence.

SeraNova is a global Internet professional services firm focused entirely on the business-to-business (B2B) market segment. In conjunction with webMethods, SeraNova helps clients achieve Time-to-Market advantage, through rapid conception, creation and deployment of innovative Internet and portal-based solutions.

"Being part of the B2B Rapid Integration Team will allow our consultants to leverage their experience with webMethods to provide customers with a comprehensive B2Bi solution," said Mark Fiato, vice president of Business Development for SeraNova.

Pricing and Availability

For one flat rate, members of the B2B Rapid Integration Team will offer a standard trading partner integration program, including one connection from the trading network to the back-end systems of a single trading partner. Services from the B2B Rapid Integration Team will be available during the second quarter of 2000.

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, Bell Atlantic, Lucent 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 the Company 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 the Company 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 the Company's recent Registration Statement on Form S-1, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.