Company Press Release

XMLSolutions Delivers XML-based Prototype for Envera Marketplace

XMLSolutions Assists Envera Evolution From Business Planning to Clearinghouse Implementation

MCLEAN, Va., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- XMLSolutions Corporation, a worldwide provider of strategic business-to-business, XML-based products and services today announced its long-term participation in the planning, architecture, development, and deployment of the Envera Clearinghouse, a global electronic-marketplace for B2B transactions and services.

``XMLSolutions has been an active participant in the Envera Marketplace from its inception and today continues as a crucial resource for the production version that we anticipate to be operational by the third quarter of 2000,'' stated Robert Mooney, Envera Chief Executive Officer. ``XMLSolutions helped crystallize how to best implement what was needed to connect all of the companies involved in Envera. From the beginning of our relationship, the XMLSolutions team has provided the products and expertise necessary to build business plans, complete evolutionary prototypes, and architect an XML-based solution for Envera.''

Envera will enable cross-industry transactions and efficiencies over the Web. It has coined the phrase ``e-Business For Business'' (``eB4B'') for its network of systems and services. Based on the Latin phrase for ``in truth,'' Envera has been designed as a ``customer-focused,'' neutral site where all industry participants transact their business with assurance of the network's neutrality and confidentiality.

XMLSolutions first met with information technology leaders at Richmond, VA based Ethyl Corporation, a member company of Envera, in August 1999 to discuss the current state of the technologies, where that technology was going, and what the impact could be on the chemical and petroleum industry.

``We discussed the fundamentals of XML-based electronic commerce, N-tier architecture, trans-enterprise application integration and the importance of legacy systems,'' recalls Jeffrey Ricker, XMLSolutions' President of Technology. ``From the beginning, Ethyl was looking for the next-generation system. The technology concepts we brought to the table, combined with their in-depth knowledge of the chemical and petroleum industry immediately helped validate the Envera concept.''

Ethyl was already leading-edge in their information technology capabilities when they first met with XMLSolutions. They had deployed a global, homogenous SAP system, in just 18 months as well as fielding an extranet for their ERP system to enable supplier-managed inventory (SMI) for their larger customers. Ethyl was, and remains far ahead of the curve.

XMLSolutions consultants have collaborated with the Envera team to develop a vision for the eB4B network, completion of business plans, roll out of prototypes and architecting the production version of Envera. Envera's vision combined with XMLSolutions' expertise continue to drive the Envera architecture to a production launch in Q3 2000.

XMLSolutions' XEDI Translator product can play a key role in linking participating companies through Envera. The XEDI Translator (pronounced zee-dee), is the only EDI to XML translation product on the market to provide the ability to translate every ANSI X12 transaction and EDIFACT message into XML. This breakthrough technology enables companies using EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to automatically translate documents to XML, the language of business-to-business e-commerce. As a major component of Envera's XML backbone, the XEDI Translator can facilitate the exchange of XML-based EDI messages among Envera member companies.

Envera is a true business-for-business site, enabling a full range of business transactions among trading members (vendors, customers and suppliers in existing supply chains), complemented by links to global financial institutions, shipping companies and other key service providers. Envera will integrate and network chemical and petroleum process companies, and not-for-spot auctions. The goal is to empower members' core businesses, from improving efficiencies in manufacturing to integrating markets and services worldwide. Sponsorship by a consortium of international companies rather than by a single industry entity is a key component of the venture.

``The Envera team recognized early on that it takes an international vision within an industry to deliver solutions like Envera. XMLSolutions is pleased to participate in a variety of the projects associated with the development and launch of Envera,'' stated Kevin Kail, XMLSolutions' Chief Executive Officer. ``We anticipate that a number of companies and industries will look to this venture as a model for the utilization of XML in business-for-business and end-to-end (E2E(SM)) solutions.''

The Envera solution is based on XML standards that will enable participating companies to enjoy on-line efficiencies regardless of their IT sophistication. XMLSolutions provides visionary solutions that empower organizations to effectively implement their E2E (end-to-end) e-business XML initiatives. With support for open standards like FpML, cXML, cBL, RosettaNet, ACORD, ANSI X12 and EDIFACT EDI transactions XMLSolutions' products enable companies to expand their electronic trading networks and deploy integrated, XML solutions. XMLSolutions backs its XML e-commerce software with a superior professional services team, staffed with world experts in XML, EDI, metadata and legacy system integration.

Companies interested in Envera should contact Rich Chvala by phone at 804-788-5667 or e-mail to rchvala@envera.com. The Envera web site can be found at www.envera.com.

About XMLSolutions Corporation

XMLSolutions Corporation (www.xmls.com) is a provider of XML-based business-to-business e-commerce products that enables companies to leverage their investment in legacy systems and extend their electronic trading communities to small and midsize trading partners. XMLSolutions backs its XML e-commerce software with a superior professional services team, staffed with world experts in XML, EDI, metadata and legacy system integration.

XMLSolutions is headquartered in Northern Virginia's technology corridor with offices throughout the United States, Europe, South Africa, and Asia.