CollaTech Inc. Publishes BizTalk Framework foreCommerce Distribution Hubs; CyberVendor XML...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 1999--

CollaTech Inc., a leading provider of industry-specific eCommerce solutions, today announced plans for the seamless support for eCommerce dealer purchases and returns with the creation of an XML BizTalk Framework-based hub for distribution

networks. Dealers using CollaTech's CyberVendor(TM) 3.0 can send XML-based purchase orders and receive real time pricing, updates, inventory and order status reports. By incorporating the BizTalk Framework utilizing CollaTech XML schema, dealer and distribution partners can speed up inventory replenishment, distribution and returns.

Currently CollaTech serves a number of strategic business markets, focusing its eCommerce solutions on incorporating best-of-breed business practices in easy-to-maintain eCommerce sites. An example of CollaTech's XML schema in the BizTalk Framework will be implementations in dealer networks. CollaTech will build on its existing CyberVendor(TM) 3.0 three-tier distribution architecture for industry-specific suppliers. Using XML forms and documents, dealers using order management systems can improve delivery to customers by reducing cycle time and improving product availability.

CyberVendor(TM) to Use the BizTalk Framework to Support Multi-Level Distribution Partnerships

The BizTalk framework, launched by Microsoft Corp. in March, is based on new Extensible Markup Language (XML) schemas and industry standards for sharing information. CollaTech supports Microsoft's advocacy of XML and industry standards for the exchange of business information by using BizTalk schemas. Furthermore, CollaTech will develop schema specific distribution networks for customers of CollaTech's CyberVendor(TM) product multi-level trading customers.

"One of the stumbling blocks for customers deploying eCommerce in our vertical markets is the lack of standards between trading partners and reliance on a number of incompatible legacy data systems," said Roberto Melo, President and CEO, CollaTech, Inc. "With XML, and Microsoft's push to provide easy-to-deploy XML objects, CollaTech can more easily integrate these legacy systems, provide better long-term solutions and do it in a fraction of the time. We'll be able to finally bring open systems to our customers who cannot afford expensive and proprietary software products."

"BizTalk will help organizations easily and affordably communicate with trading partners and customers by enabling various software solutions to speak a common language for eCommerce," said Melo. "Our commitment to BizTalk demonstrates our strong alliance with Microsoft as well as our dedication to providing customers with the most cost-effective eCommerce solutions. BizTalk will provide customers with an exciting, affordable technology platform to reduce their transaction costs and further streamline their business operations."

Distributors will be able to execute the BizTalk Framework as the default business-to-business communication language and use CollaTech's CyberVendor(TM) solution for industry specific functionality. Hub network distribution-specific schemas developed by CollaTech will be submitted to the BizTalk.org schema repository.

These BizTalk-enabled solutions will allow businesses to easily exchange documents with online trading partners regardless of the platform technology underlying each company's systems. CollaTech's CyberVendor(TM) customers will enjoy support for BizTalk schemas later this year, and Microsoft anticipates general availability of BizTalk Server for early 2000.

"By integrating support for the BizTalk Framework and BizTalk Server with its solutions, CollaTech's CyberVendor(TM) software will help more wholesale distributors easily conduct e-commerce with their customers and trading partners. CyberVendor(TM) customers will be able to accept orders and other general business information from anyone who forms their XML messages based on BizTalk schemas," said Marcus Schmidt, industry manager for commerce at Microsoft Corp. "Ultimately, CollaTech will increase its business opportunities and enhance communications through its support of these next-generation e-commerce technologies."

About the BizTalk Framework

Introduced in March, the BizTalk Framework makes it easy for businesses to exchange information between software applications and conduct business over the Internet with trading partners and customers. The BizTalk Framework includes a design framework for implementing an XML schema and a set of XML tags used in messages sent between applications. Microsoft, other software companies, and industry standards bodies will use the BizTalk Framework to produce XML schemas in a consistent manner to enable integration across industries and between business systems, regardless of platform, operating system, or underlying technology. More information about the BizTalk Framework is available at http://www.biztalk.org/.

About CyberVendor(TM)

CollaTech's product, CyberVendor(TM), is designed to facilitate dealer distribution networks. CyberVendor(TM) 3.0 is a full-featured advanced eCommerce solution that incorporates a three-tier architecture that connects distributors to dealers and their customers. CyberVendor(TM) is specifically designed to allow vertical markets to implement eCommerce business-to-business or business-to-consumer sites at the dealer level without the need for costly custom programming or expensive ongoing maintenance. Non-technical personnel can maintain the Internet sites in most cases. CyberVendor(TM)'s vertical focus enables customers to develop best-of-breed sites far easier than generic eCommerce solutions, which allows a more cost effect solution. CollaTech provides an integrated family of incremental Internet commerce software solutions, which combine ease of use, adaptability and back-end power, at an affordable price. Visit the CollaTech web site at www.collatech.com.