Software AG, Inc. Signs Independent Software Vendor Agreement With Percussion Software.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

RESTON, Va. & STONEHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2001

Alliance Will Allow Companies to Quickly Establish a Web Presence

Using XML

XML pioneer Software AG, Inc. has entered into an independent software vendor agreement

Designed for companies building mission-critical e-businesses, the product combination provides an ideal tool for quickly establishing a solid Web presence based on XML, assembling content from various sources and storing XML data natively for rapid retrieval.

Based on open standards, Rhythmyx Content Manager is an easy-to-use, native XML content management system that helps companies automate the content they publish to their Web sites. Software AG's Tamino is a native XML database that stores, retrieves and directly manages nearly any information or Internet object, from XML documents, audio and video to still pictures and HTML pages.

"Percussion shares our passion for products based on native XML," said Lori Williams-Peters, vice president, new business and indirect sales, Software AG, Inc. "Software AG has long believed that native XML is the key to speed, reliability and scalability - critical hot buttons for our collective customers."

Software AG's Tamino is receiving significant recognition in the marketplace. In a just released IDC report, Tamino was ranked as the clear leader in the XML and Virtual Database Management System (DBMS) Market with 40.5% worldwide market share. IBM, HP and BEA all recently announced that they have chosen Tamino as part of their XML solution for their e-business, application servers. And in March, Tamino was chosen as the Best Database Product by readers of the XML-Journal.

Businesses can use Percussion's Rhythmyx Content Manager to assemble content from various sources; apply relevancy and workflow rules; and format content for specific users or output types using XSL.

Pulling data from a native XML repository like Tamino, developers can access content immediately without additional translation, saving time and reducing the risk of diminished performance, data alteration or extra manual administration.

"Our partnership with Software AG gives our customers a powerful tool for two of the most critical functions in today's e-business market -- content management and storage," said Barry Reynolds, president and CEO, Percussion Software. "XML is a requirement for businesses making the move online. By taking advantage of our integrated XML product set, customers can achieve an effective content management system that easily integrates with all of their e-commerce initiatives."

To support the partnership, Software AG and Percussion Software will co-market each other's products and will also provide software implementation and technical support.

About Percussion Software

Percussion(R) Software (www.percussion.com) delivers next-generation, virtual XML content management solutions to fast-paced companies with mission-critical Web sites.

Percussion's flagship product, Rhythmyx Content Manager(TM), brings the company's six years of expertise in processing and transforming data and documents to new customers requiring a more efficient way to deliver fresh content to the Web.

With its open, standards-based architecture, Rhythmyx allows customers to integrate other critical e-commerce components to build a "best of breed" system. Rhythmyx Content Manager won a Crossroads 2001 A-List Award as one of the "Best New Enterprise Solutions for Business and Technology Infrastructure."

Rhythmyx was selected as an Editors' Choice by PC Magazine in March 2001 and received Spring Internet World 2000's "Best of Show" for "Best Web Application Development Software." In 2000, Deloitte & Touche recognized Percussion Software for the second consecutive year as one of the fastest growing high-tech companies in New England.

About Software AG, Inc.

Based in Reston, VA, Software AG, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Software AG, Europe's largest system software provider and a major global player offering cutting edge technology for data management and electronic business. Since 1998 the company has focused its development activities on XML products for the Internet.

With some 3,500 employees and representatives in over 70 countries, Software AG expects revenues to exceed 600 million euros in 2001. Its distribution and technology partners include market leaders such as IBM, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard as well as innovative IT solutions providers like Extensibility, Softquad and Sequoia.

Software AG's products control the central IT processes of thousands of renowned companies worldwide. Some examples of these are Lufthansa, British Sky Broadcasting, ZDF, Dresdner Bank AG, Swiss Post, DaimlerChrysler, Deutsche Bahn AG (German Rail), BP and VIAG Interkom. Software AG, headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (MDAX, Security identification number 724264 / SOWGn.F).

For additional information go to: www.softwareagusa.com