Partner Press Release
Sterling Commerce Endorses RosettaNet's eConcert

E-Commerce Leader Provides XML Support to Worldwide Consortium

For Release June 9, 1999

Menlo Park, CA -- Sterling Commerce, Inc. (NYSE: SE) today announced its support of RosettaNet's launch of eConcert, a phased implementation of partner-to-partner E-commerce. Sterling Commerce will work in conjunction with RosettaNet to provide the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) support required to fulfill the commitment of eConcert, which sets initiation of labs testing, pilots and live production implementations to begin February 2000.

RosettaNet is a consortium of manufacturers and distributors of computer products dedicated to accelerating supply chain automation. The consortium is defining and leading the implementation of open and common processes - an infostructure - designed to align E-business interfaces between IT supply chain partners. Sterling Commerce is part of the architecture group for RosettaNet and will provide the consortium with XML-based interfaces to enable integration with third party applications. Sterling Commerce will work with the consortium to implement E-commerce solutions that will simplify collaboration between commerce partners and improve processes between supply chain partners.

"XML can rapidly extend the reach of E-commerce to a broader audience of small and medium-sized businesses and to a rich set of new business applications," said Jim Hoyt, chief technology officer, Sterling Commerce. "Industry consortiums, such as RosettaNet, are looking to Sterling Commerce to help them effectively leverage the power of XML, and to extend its capabilities though out their commerce community."

Sterling Commerce endorses the RosettaNet structures that have been established to define and improve business processes. Sterling Commerce will provide the expertise to implement XML-supported solutions. This effort reinforces the Sterling Commerce Business Process Integration (BPI) initiative, which focuses on the integration of distributed business processes through the electronic exchange and management of information within and between enterprises.

As announced last month, Sterling Commerce, via its GENTRAN product family, supports both XML and traditional EDI standards with its data transformation engine. This support will co-exist in the same mapping and translation components that provide support for global EDI standards and proprietary message formats. Now, regardless of format or source, GENTRAN will provide businesses and organizations, such as RosettaNet, with robust data transformation, end-to-end tracking and centralized management of business information exchanged over the Internet or private networks. Through this capability, GENTRAN enables users to integrate business applications with their commerce communities.

About RosettaNet
Established in June 1998, RosettaNet is an industry consortium established as a mandate from the IT industry to establish global business process standards for a PC supply chain involving manufacturers, distributors, resellers and end users, with support from systems architects and solution providers. RosettaNet board members represent 34 companies that generate more than half of the PC sector's $7 billion in annual revenues.

About Sterling Commerce
Sterling Commerce is recognized as the worldwide leader in providing Internet E-commerce solutions for the Global 5000 and their commerce communities. The company is one of 40 companies included in the Dow Jones Internet Services Index. Sterling Commerce is focused on providing E-commerce solutions through its COMMERCE, CONNECT and GENTRAN product families to address Extranet Management, Business Process Integration, Community Management, Infrastructure, and Outsourcing. The company has been providing E-commerce solutions for 25 years, and has 2,500 employees, 37 office locations and more than 40 distributors worldwide. With more than 45,000 customers, Sterling Commerce had 1998 revenues of more than $490 million.

For more information, visit www.sterlingcommerce.com.