Lawson Unveils On-Line Procurement/Supply ChainSystem.

Business/High-Tech Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2000

Lawson Digital Depot Services Buyers, Suppliers, Manufacturers

In e-Marketplace; Integrates All Enterprise Stakeholders

for e-Business Process Improvement

Lawson Software, the

Enterprise behind the Internet, today announced Fall 2000 delivery of Lawson Digital Depot(TM), a comprehensive new Internet-based procurement and supply management system. Powering e-commerce communities, Lawson Digital Depot unites enterprise stakeholders throughout the supply chain, streamlining procurement and supply management from beginning to end of all related business processes. Lawson made the announcement in San Diego at "CUE 2000: Discover-e," the company's 15th annual conference and user exchange.

Lawson Digital Depot combines the power of the company's e-business transaction engines, advanced e-commerce extensions, zero-training Self-Evident Applications(TM) (SEA) and 100 percent Internet-enabled architecture to create a digital marketplace. Digital Depot integrates all commerce-related interfaces and processes via an e-commerce hub, and includes a value-added information e-service aggregating catalog information from all industry-leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. Lawson offers these components of Digital Depot as subscription-based, outsourced services. In addition, Lawson Digital Depot will be delivered as a complete business-to-business commerce system for creating customized digital marketplaces for specialized enterprises. This system includes the Digital Depot e-commerce hub and catalog, plus additional components powered by lawson.insight solutions.

"The market has eagerly been awaiting the incorporation of Web-based supply chain tools with their enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications," said Dan Vogel, vice president, META Group. "Lawson's ability to leverage its vertical market strength and widely-regarded ERP implementations with recognized partnering expertise and proven processes, make Digital Depot a compelling offering."

Lawson Digital Depot: Powering the e-Business Marketplace

An entire business-to-business commerce system, Lawson Digital Depot provides the software solutions and advanced technologies to quickly and easily create customizable electronic marketplaces that benefit all links in the enterprise supply chain. Benefits to users include streamlined supply and procurement management, cost savings, improved data integrity, more predictable inventory control and ease of use.

Digital Depot's e-commerce hub effectively eliminates the business barriers posed by disparate computing platforms. The e-service seamlessly links XML, HTML, EDI, e-mail and fax communications into one communication pipeline that integrates with multiple legacy systems. It enables real-time transaction updates throughout the supply chain for price quotes, order confirmations, change orders, sales history, shipment tracking, invoicing, payments, reconciliation, credits and rebates.

Offering millions of SKU's from all major manufacturers and suppliers, with real-time product information and pricing updates, Digital Depot's catalog component provides full-time, immediate access to essential supply management information, industry trends, news and other relevant information. Access to the comprehensive electronic catalog gives organizations the information they need to derive maximum value from purchasing decisions. It eliminates manual updating of catalog and pricing information, allowing organizations to focus resources on more strategic activities.

"With Digital Depot, Lawson is addressing the need for cost efficiency, shortened inventory cycles, lower transaction costs, streamlined operations and data integrity with an Internet solution that transforms the supply chain into a digital community of enterprise stakeholders," said Eric Morgan, executive vice president, Digital Markets, Lawson Software. "Buyers, manufacturers and suppliers all benefit from the incredible efficiency of real-time e-business transaction and information flow over the Web. Virtual markets and communities powered by Lawson Digital Depot, known as lawson.communities, will provide up-to-date product and pricing information, and instant access to enterprise knowledge for more efficient resources management."

Lawson Software, the Enterprise behind the Internet, is a $270 million provider of integrated e-business solutions powering enterprises and e-services. Lawson offers role-based Self-Evident Applications(TM) (SEA), transaction engines and solution extensions powering financials, human resources, procurement, distribution and analytics solutions. With 3,000 mid- to large-sized corporate customers, Lawson has distinguished itself competitively through a unique blend of feature-rich customer solutions, technology innovation and user-friendly support. IDC states that Lawson is "...primed for the next generation of enterprise-applications utility." According to the Aberdeen Group, "Lawson's commitment to Internet application standards and the delivery of e-business-enabling enterprise applications...should propel it to the forefront of this market space."

Red Herring magazine lists Lawson among the world's top 50 private companies. Offering enterprise e-business solutions for UNIX, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and IBM AS/400 and S/390 platforms, Lawson has 30 offices and affiliates serving North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. and London. Additional information about Lawson Software is available on the company's Web site, http://www.lawson.com, or by calling (800) 477-1357, ext. 100.

Lawson, Lawson Software, lawson.insight, lawson.community, lawson.consulting and Self-Evident Applications are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lawson Software.

Other company and product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.