WESTBORO, Mass., July 26, 2004 -- Ascential Software Corporation (Nasdaq: ASCL), the enterprise data integration leader, today announced that Ryan Beck & Co., Inc., a New Jersey-based financial services firm, is using Ascential DataStage(TM) to provide a single, comprehensive view of its enterprise data. Ascential DataStage enables the company to provide multiple, up-to-date reports to more than 500 financial consultants.

Ryan Beck has offices in 13 states and offers a significant array of services to individual, corporate and institutional investors. "As Ryan Beck works to achieve the objectives established by our executive team - to diversify and expand our revenue base, grow in profitability and scope as a financial services company, establish new businesses and expand successful business units - it is critical that we are able to provide our financial consultants with the up-to-date, accurate information they need to be successful," said Michael Sukovich, vice president of data warehouse architecture and services for Ryan Beck. "Ascential DataStage is an integral component of the IT foundation required to reach our corporate goals."

Ryan Beck is using Ascential DataStage, a key component of the Ascential Enterprise Integration Suite(TM), to build and maintain an enterprise data warehouse. Ascential DataStage supports the collection, integration and transformation of data from virtually any source or business process, regardless of data volumes or latency. These can include text files; complex data structures in XML; ERP systems such as SAP and PeopleSoft; a wide variety of commercial databases; web services; and business intelligence tools. Ascential DataStage can manage data arriving in real-time as well as bulk data received on a periodic or scheduled basis.

"Ryan Beck has the vision to expand its IT systems to meet significant growth objectives over the next few years. An effective enterprise data warehouse is vital to that growth and to the efficient and effective operation of daily business," said Mark Register, chief marketing officer and vice president of marketing, industry solutions and global alliances at Ascential Software. "Ryan Beck's aggressive goals and commitment to client service demand the kind of enterprise data integration that Ascential Software can deliver."

With the Ascential Enterprise Integration Suite(TM), companies can streamline operations, improve customer support, expedite business transactions, and make tactical and strategic decisions on the basis of the best available information. Ascential Software's data integration platform is designed to reduce risks and costs, and support key business initiatives by integrating virtually all corporate data types and automatically analyzing, cleansing, enhancing, and delivering that data in an understandable format, at the right time, to the systems and people who need it. The Ascential Enterprise Integration Suite integrates data from complex business transactions with customers and partners, operational data moving within the enterprise, and analytical data supporting critical business decisions.

About Ryan Beck & Co., Inc.

Founded in 1946, Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. provides financial advice and innovative solutions to individuals, institutions and corporate clients through 34 offices in 13 states. For individual investors, the firm's Private Client Group provides a full range of financial services, including investment consulting, retirement plans, insurance and investment advisory services. Institutional clients benefit from the market making, underwriting and distribution activities of the firm's experienced Capital Markets Group, which encompasses equity and fixed income trading, fixed income products, institutional sales and research. Through its Investment Banking Groups, Ryan Beck provides assistance in the capital formation process and financial advisory services to corporate clients, primarily financial institutions and middle market companies. Ryan Beck's experience in this area is acknowledged industry-wide.

About Ascential Software

Ascential Software Corporation (Nasdaq: ASCL) is the leader in enterprise data integration. Customers and partners worldwide recognize us as the premier provider of comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that help businesses confidently transform data into accurate, reliable and complete business information. Our integrated software suite combines on-demand data integration with industry expertise, methodologies and customer dedication to provide value by improving operational performance and decision-making across every critical business dimension.

We are committed to providing superior software and services for more than 3,000 customers and partners globally across such industries as financial services and banking, telecommunications, healthcare, insurance, consumer packaged goods, retail, and government. Ascential Software is headquartered in Westboro, Mass. For more information call 1-800-966-9875 (508-366-3888 if calling from outside the U.S. or Canada) or visit the Ascential Software Web site at http://www.ascential.com.

Web Site: http://www.ascentialsoftware.com

Chas Kielt
     Ascential Software Corporation
     (508) 366-3888, ext. 3256
     chas.kielt@ascential.com

     RJ Bardsley
     Ascential Software Corporation
     (508) 366-3888, ext. 3065
     rj.bardsley@ascential.com

     Emily Wyner
     Porter Novelli
     (617) 897-8200
     emily.wyner@porternovelli.com