Partner Press Release
SAQQARA Unveils RosettaNet Strategy and Roadmap to Proliferate Industry Adoption

New RosettaNet Response Solution to Enable Suppliers' PIP2A9 Support

For Release October 10, 2000

SAN JOSE

SAQQARA Systems, Inc., a leading provider of product content management and exchange software and services for business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce today announced its commitment to supporting and mapping RosettaNet's Partner Interface Process™ PIP2A9, its Query Electronic Component Technical Information taxonomy roadmap, and RosettaNet's Electronic Components Technical Dictionary (ECTD) with its new RosettaNet Response Solution. The SAQQARA RosettaNet Response Solution will enable electronic component suppliers a more streamlined operations and communications functionality. SAQQARA is the first company to publicly commit to RosettaNet's PIP2A9 roadmap objectives and offer suppliers 'Phase I' support using its proven B2B e-commerce software and services.

The SAQQARA RosettaNet Response Solution will provide suppliers with data transformation, automatic response to queries for product information from electronic manufacturers, and supplier- owned RosettaNet-supported product content that can be leveraged for additional e-commerce initiatives. The SAQQARA RosettaNet Response Solution will enable suppliers to automatically respond in conformity with the approved ECTD for RosettaNet PIP2A9 messaging protocol. SAQQARA will also provide a more comprehensive 'Phase II' solution consistent with the release and adoption of RosettaNet PIP2A9, which will incorporate additional security measures and digital certificates (DSI).

"SAQQARA is committed to speeding the adoption of RosettaNet-based product information exchange that will enhance standards of communications between electronic manufacturers and their suppliers," commented Sherif Danish, founder, and chief technology officer, SAQQARA Systems. "With the SAQQARA solution, the supplier owns not only the RosettaNet-based database, but can expand and leverage its database for more robust e-commerce functionality with its existing trading partners."

"We are pleased that a leading B2B e-commerce company such as SAQQARA has committed to implementing PIP2A9," commented Jennifer Hamilton, chief executive officer, RosettaNet. "SAQQARA's expertise in product content management and exchange, involvement as a RosettaNet Solutions Partner, and strong public supporter of the PIP2A9 roadmap will help the electronic manufacturing industry advance the proliferation of this standard."

"The ability to receive the parameters we need will enhance and streamline our supply chain management needs and speed the design-in processes," commented Ed Hutson, project manager, Global Component Information Management, Lucent Technologies. "We are pleased that SAQQARA is bringing its product content expertise to enable our suppliers to respond to PIP2A9 queries, as well as facilitating the dynamic exchange of technical product content for the industry."

About RosettaNet
RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, non-profit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces to align the processes between supply chain partners on a global basis. Launched in June 1998, RosettaNet is currently in the pilot phase of its implementation cycle.

More than 250 companies representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology and electronic components revenues currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy, and implementation activities. A complete list of member companies and more information on RosettaNet can be found at http://www.rosettanet.org

About SAQQARA Systems, Inc.
SAQQARA is the leading provider of electronic content management and exchange software for business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce. With the SAQQARA family of solutions for product content management and syndication, including the SAQQARA Commerce Suite™, SAQQARA Cornerstone™ and WhoMakesIt.com®, B2B suppliers can deliver rich product content information over the Internet and buyers can quickly and easily find, compare and select the products that best meet their requirements. SAQQARA is a privately held corporation with headquarters in San Jose, California and European operations based in Paris, France. For further information about the company and its products, visit http://www.saqqara.com or call 408-325-8200.