For Immediate Release:
 

SpaceWorks Announces The Next Generation of B2B e-Commerce

Collaboration with Intel Produces Industry's First

Rockville, MD -- August 26, 1999 -- SpaceWorks®, the experienced leader in business-to-business sell-side Web Commerce software, today announced a new first for the burgeoning Internet Commerce marketplace-the ability for business trading partners to engage in E-commerce activities without reliance on a Web connection. This unprecedented capability is the result of the E-commerce co-development initiative underway between SpaceWorks and Intel Corporation.

SpaceWorks will be the first E-commerce software application vendor to offer this offline capability in the upcoming release 4.1 of its award-winning OrderManager software. OrderManager®, which boasts nearly 200 developer years of technical expertise, enables manufacturers and distributors to offer a Web-based sales, marketing and support channel to their business buyers. OrderManager Ver.4.1 is scheduled for commercial release in the fourth quarter of this year.

These next generation OrderManager capabilities are made possible through a single user version of the software that will reside on each user's desktop or laptop. Still using their browsers, users can research catalogs, check product specifications, configure products and create orders-all without a connection to the Internet. Queued orders are then submitted to the server upon connection. In addition, upon connecting to the Web-based OrderManager server, catalog, pricing, inventory availability, order status, and account status updates will be downloaded.

"With the move to offline Web commerce, business-to-business EC is no longer constrained by the need for an Internet connection," said SpaceWorks President and CEO, Dave MacSwain. "OrderManager 4.1 represents the next generation of EC applications, offering unparalleled sales and customer service capabilities that go far beyond what was previously available in the marketplace. Essentially, with this new version release, we've taken EC to a whole new level - opening the door to wireless commerce."

"SpaceWorks OrderManager 4.1 is a one-of-a-kind selling, marketing and customer service application in the business-to-business Web commerce market," according to Harry Tse, Director of Enterprise Applications for the Yankee Group. "SpaceWorks is a pioneer in this space, consistently bringing unique features such as offline capabilities, that are shaping the future of the new EC frontier."

XML Functionality The data exchange between the server and offline version is based on a set of XML transactions over the Internet using the HTTP or HTTPS (Secure Socket Layer) protocol. XML enables replication to occur, which allows the user to synchronize data between the OrderManager database on the server and the offline version of OrderManager on the user's laptop. Replication will synchronize the following data between the server and the laptop:

Catalog User Info (include Accounts, Privileges, Preferences, Features) Order Status Inventory Availability

An open XML transaction server architecture ensures easy integration with other XML standards. It also allows for third party XML server plug-ins.

The system administrator of the client-host system can choose to impose forced replication (data updates), which are determined in advance, to help ensure the offline user has up-to-date information. Whenever viewing replicated data, the user can easily see how old the information is through a replication date and time stamp.

About SpaceWorks
SpaceWorks, Inc.® drives billions in B2B revenue today for Global 2000 manufacturers, distributors and supplier-driven marketplaces. SpaceWorks industrial-strength application, the Web BusinessManager Suite, automates all the mission-critical activities involved in B2B selling, including ordering, marketing, billing and more. The solution integrates with back-end systems, e-Marketplaces and customer procurement networks to enable real-time, revenue-generating transactions. SpaceWorks clients include Avaya, BF Goodrich, GE Aircraft Engines, and Maytag Corporation, among others. Alliance partners include PricewaterhouseCoopers, webMethods, Commerce One and more. Additional information is available at www.spaceworks.com.

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