Western Data Systems to Bring Theory of ConstraintsCapabilities to Aerospace & Defense; U.S.

Business Editors

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2000

Western Data Systems (WDS), the leading supplier of Enterprise Resource Planning and Supply Chain Planning solutions for the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry, today announced that they are the first major ERP provider to offer support for Theory of Constraints (TOC) management in its core product. Over the past year, WDS has worked with the world's foremost experts on TOC along with industry practitioners to define and begin development of the key TOC capabilities within the CompassENTERPRISE(R) solution. The solution is focused on the practical application of TOC management and measurement methodologies tailored to the needs of A&D manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations. Capabilities include: critical chain, drum-buffer-rope, and buffer management. The announcement was made in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Dr. Eli Goldratt "Necessary but not Sufficient" conference where Dr. Goldratt presented his latest work of the same name.

The new CompassENTERPRISE TOC functionality provides the added capabilities needed beyond standard ERP to use the TOC as the overriding approach to production and organizational management. It builds on the CompassCONTRACT(R) database and Adexa's collaborative planning technology to provide project, manufacturing, and re-manufacturing management with powerful new tools for utilizing the TOC management approach to dramatically improve throughput and customer responsiveness. WDS' software capabilities to support TOC are being developed initially along with the integrated CompassCONTRACT/Adexa's iCollaboration, and are targeted for release by January 2001.

The U.S. Navy's Naval Aviation Depots will be among an initial group of customers to utilize the TOC functionality.

About Western Data Systems

Western Data Systems (WDS) is the world's leading provider of application software and services to the commercial and military aerospace and defense industry. WDS serves the operational management needs of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in industry and government in the U.S. and throughout the world. Encompassing logistics support centers and depots, prime contractors, and component and sub-system suppliers, Western Data Systems' mission-critical business solutions optimize the A&D enterprise. WDS customers include leading A&D organizations such as BAE Systems, Boeing, Kaiser Electronics, L3 Communications, Litton, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences, and Smiths Industries Aerospace as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. To learn more about WDS and its solutions, please visit www.westdata.com.

About Adexa

Adexa develops and markets solutions that enable collaborative commerce - an Internet-based approach to sourcing, making and delivering goods that requires intelligent planning and dynamic collaboration among members of a multi-tiered supply chain. Adexa's iCollaboration suite helps enterprises and trading exchange participants make faster, more informed business decisions by automating, synchronizing and optimizing complex, interdependent supply chain operations. Built with next-generation technology, Adexa's iCollaboration suite is an open, scalable and adaptable solution that helps increase customer responsiveness, coordination with trading partners and enhance overall supply chain efficiency. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Adexa has licensed its iCollaboration suite to leading companies and trading exchanges around the world, including Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Conexant Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies, Inc., Framatome Connectors International, Fujitsu Quantum Devices, Ltd., Matsushita Electronics Corporation, Milliken and Company, Philips Semiconductors B.V., Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. Sitix Division. To learn more about Adexa and its solutions, please visit www.adexa.com.

Trademarks: The WDS logo and CompassENTERPRISE are registered trademarks of Western Data Systems of Nevada, Inc. All other names indicated are trademarks of their respective companies.