Wal-Mart Suppliers Draw on webMethods for EDI Over the Internet

Abbott Labs, Adobe, Black & Decker, Dan River, and Panasonic Deploy webMethods' Solution for EDIINT AS2 for Rapid, Automated Connection

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 13, 2003 -- webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM), the leading independent provider of integration software, today announced that several Wal-Mart suppliers, including Abbott Labs, Adobe, Black & Decker, Dan River, and Panasonic have successfully moved into production with their integration to Wal-Mart, using the required EDIINT AS2 standard. By deploying webMethods' powerful, award-winning integration platform, these companies are on track to meet Wal-Mart's deadline for electronic data interchange over the Internet (EDIINT).

webMethods' EDI solution is the proven choice for Wal-Mart's suppliers that are looking for secure, reliable and rapid implementation of the EDIINT AS2 standard. In March 2003, webMethods received, for the fourth consecutive time, the Drummond Group's certification for Interoperability. Additionally, webMethods has recently passed the interoperability test for AS1, with the Drummond Group, ensuring EDI communication via Simple Mail Transport Protocol or email, securely and reliably.

"The webMethods Integration Platform deployment was extremely beneficial for Dan River," said Tony Bender, vice president of Information Systems, Dan River, Inc. "An early benefit is a reduction in VAN-related charges, and we fully expect those savings to multiply as the volume of transactions increase over time."

Already a webMethods customer, Adobe's implementation of EDI over the Internet was an easy process. In a short amount of time, Adobe achieved electronic transactions with Wal-Mart via the EDIINT AS2 standard, which meets the Wal-Mart requirements and provides the company with a foundation for future EDIINT implementations.

"Leveraging webMethods' technology and services, Black and Decker has successfully transitioned from a traditional VAN-based EDI relationship with Wal-Mart to the Internet-based EDIINT AS2 standard. Black & Decker is now leveraging this success with other existing trading partners to further reduce EDI expenses and to enable new relationships with partners that do not have access to a traditional VAN," said Bill Gerst, director of WorldWide PowerTools eBusiness, Black & Decker, Inc.

At Secaucus, NJ-based Panasonic, webMethods has helped the company migrate their EDI transactions from its traditional VAN-based system to a more cost effective Internet-based transport. "Despite significant increases in transaction volumes, we have been able to reduce our operating costs with the webMethods Integration Platform," said Glenn Clark, Group Manager-Global Systems, Panasonic.

"webMethods' superior integration solutions have once again proven their ability to enable customers to forge new business opportunities and improve existing business relationships with Wal-Mart through the rapid implementation of EDIINT projects," said Beth Lovett, director of CPG and Retail Solutions, webMethods, Inc. "In addition to meeting the Wal-Mart requirement, our customers also benefit from more efficient management of their supply chain through business process automation, giving them greater competitive edge and bottom-line savings."

About webMethods, Inc.

As the leading independent provider of integration software, webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM) delivers the industry's most comprehensive platform for enterprise-wide integration, including complete support for Enterprise Web Services. The webMethods Integration Platform allows customers to achieve quantifiable R.O.I. by linking business processes, enterprise and legacy applications, databases, Web services and workflows both within and across enterprises. Through this seamless flow of information, companies can reduce costs, create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers, substantially increase supply chain efficiencies and streamline internal business processes.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is headquartered in Fairfax, Va., with offices throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. webMethods has more than 950 customers worldwide including Global 2000 leaders such as Bank of America, Citibank, Dell, Eastman Chemical, Grainger, and Motorola. webMethods' strategic partners include Accenture, AMS, BearingPoint, BMC Software, BroadVision, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, CSC, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, HP, i2 Technologies, J.D. Edwards, SAP AG, Siebel Systems and TCS. More information about the company can be found at http://www.webMethods.com.

webMethods is a registered trademark of webMethods, Inc. in the USA and certain other countries. All other company and product names are the property of their respective owners.

This press release may contain various remarks about the future expectations, plans and prospects of webMethods that constitute forward- looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of U.S. securities laws. The actual results of webMethods may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those discussed under the heading "Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results" in the Business section of webMethods' Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may be accessed at http://www.sec.gov or webMethods' investor relations webpage at http://www.webMethods.com/ir/. webMethods disclaims any obligation to update or correct any forward-looking statements made herein due to the occurrence of events after the issuance of this press release.

SOURCE webMethods, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.webmethods.com