Partner Press Release
Sterling Commerce Senior Associate Renamed to RosettaNet Technical Leadership Role

For Release September 24, 2003

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Suresh Damodaran, Ph.D., senior software architect, Standards and Strategic Technology at Sterling Commerce, has been reappointed to RosettaNet’s technical leadership team as chief technologist. In October 2002, Damodaran was named chief architect of RosettaNet and promptly promoted to chief technologist in March 2003.   As a full-time, on-loan resource from Sterling Commerce, Damodaran’s return for a second term at RosettaNet underscores Sterling Commerce’s continued leadership within the industry and strong support of open standards initiatives that serve to advance business-to-business integration.

As chief technologist, Damodaran is responsible for leading the next generation technology and architectural efforts of RosettaNet.

“In 2003, Suresh and his team at RosettaNet delivered a robust B2B standards roadmap, along with several infrastructure components that were initiated and completed,” said Jennifer Hamilton, President and CEO of RosettaNet.   “On behalf of the consortium, we are genuinely pleased that Suresh will have the opportunity to continue his outstanding work at RosettaNet and further contribute to the advancement of open Internet-based business standards to the benefit of the industry at large.”& lt; /span>

Sterling Commerce has included RosettaNet support in its software products since 1999. In addition, Sterling Commerce participates in the RosettaNet Ready™ Software Compliance Program and is an active member of RosettaNet’s Solution Provider Board (SP) and Marketing Leadership Council (MLC).

“Suresh has a solid background in leading next-generation technology initiatives, making him an excellent match for this important position,” said Sam Starr, president and CEO, Sterling Commerce. “Extending his on-loan status for another term reinforces our commitment to RosettaNet and helps to promote enhanced supply chain integration across the global trading network.”

Leveraging the member representation and expertise of leading high-tech companies worldwide, including Cisco Systems, Compaq, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Intel Corp., RosettaNet is recognized as the first industry consortium to deliver an exhaustive set of standards that encompass the high technology supply chain spectrum and beyond.  

RosettaNet standards offer a non-proprietary solution, encompassing data dictionaries, implementation framework, and XML-based business message schemas and process specifications. RosettaNet drives collaborative development and rapid deployment of Internet-based business standards, creating a common language and open electronic business processes that provide measurable benefits and are vital to the evolution of the global, high-technology trading network.

About RosettaNet

RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global technology trading networks. More than 500 companies, representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues, currently participate in RosettaNet’s standards development, strategy and implementation activities. Information on the consortium’s worldwide activities, including and a complete list of partner companies, is available at www.rosettanet.org.   RosettaNet is a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC).

About Sterling Commerce

Sterling Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC), is one of the world’s largest providers of business integration solutions. For Global 5000 companies and their customers, suppliers and partners, Sterling Commerce software and services help maximize business performance and improve business metrics through integration of applications, external partner systems and people. With more than 25 years of experience serving more than 30,000 customers in a vast range of industries, Sterling Commerce is a recognized pioneer in electronic commerce through its longstanding expertise in EDI. Today, as customers explore new ways to improve business performance via the Internet, Sterling Commerce continues to innovate its software and services to further the global adoption of e-commerce while offering its customers strategic solutions that leverage existing technology. For more information, visit www.sterlingcommerce.com.