Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation Selects Avasta to Manage Infrastructure.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2002

Comprehensive Deal Includes Human Resources, Accounting

and Internal Collaborative Applications, as Well as a

Partnership to Offer Combined Services to HISC Clients

Avasta(TM),

the premier provider of automated and proactive enterprise application management, today announced that it has been selected to run the entire IT infrastructure for Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation (HISC), a global systems integration specialist focused on delivering enterprise-wide solutions to its clients in the state, local and municipal government arena. The deal plans include a go-to-market partnership between the two companies to offer complete integration and application management technology and services to HISC clients.

"We just completed the transition to Avasta's automated application management and have not missed a beat," said Mark Harrison, executive vice president and general manager of Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation (HISC). "With Avasta's technology, not only do they fully manage our applications, but we also receive end user support services and AutoFix capabilities for maximum uptime. This translates into significant cost savings for us, enabling us to focus on our clients and deliver similar value to them."

Under terms of the deal, Avasta assumes responsibility for all HISC applications. HISC receives unparalleled system performance and uptime, leveraging Avasta's proprietary application management platform and 24x7 Application Operations Center (AOC). HISC systems managed by Avasta include human resources, accounting and other internal collaborative applications. Avasta's technology components such as AutoFix and SynTran enable proactive maintenance so that system issues can be automatically detected and prevented before impacting business performance. This translates to significant cost savings and system availability for HISC.

While this initial transition phase focuses on Avasta delivering cost and resource advantages internally to HISC, the two companies are now looking outward and are partnering on a long-term joint value proposition that the two organizations can deliver to the market. HISC plans to offer Avasta application management technology and services in combination with their consulting services to clients worldwide. The combined offering will leverage Hitachi's systems integration capabilities and Avasta's application management services for future clients.

Harrison continued, "HISC is leading the trend in system integrators that are adding value-based outsourcing and application management offerings to their suite of capabilities."

"Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation clearly understands the strategic imperative of delivering the next level of services to their clients," said Staci Lyons, senior vice president of Sales at Avasta. "By selecting Avasta's unique combination of operational experience and cutting-edge technology, they can deliver complete integrated solutions to their clients. This enables Hitachi to make their clients' strategies and ideas a reality."

About Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation

Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., is an experienced and innovative systems integration specialist. As a platform-independent solutions provider, Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation is focused on delivering enterprise-wide solutions to its clients in the state, local and municipal government arena. Utilizing key strategic partnerships and its extensive experience, Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation designs tailored systems solutions for clients that position them for future growth and change.

About Avasta

Avasta manages enterprise applications through proactive technology and services. By embedding IT best practices into an automated application management platform, Avasta relieves customers of day-to-day application operations burdens. Avasta provides 24x7 application monitoring, management and maintenance, so customers can focus on building their businesses. The company is based in San Francisco and has secured financing from American Express, Alliance Capital, Bayview Partners, CommVest LLC, Convergence Partners, Sand Hill Capital, Robertson Stephens and ThomVest Holdings. Customers include Accenture, MarketFirst, Portera and Toshiba America. Please call 415/956-8000 or visit online at www.avasta.net.

Note to Editors: Avasta, the Avasta logo, Prasma, FullServ and RemoteServ are trademarks of Avasta. All other company or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.