Lawson Partners With C-bridge Internet Solutions for Customized Supply Chain Optimization Over Web.

MINNEAPOLIS and CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 1998--

Proprietary RAPID Implementation Methodology Speeds Installation, ROI

Lawson Software, The Global Solutions Company, and C-bridge Internet Solutions, an expert in implementing custom Web-based solutions supporting companies' supply chain initiatives, have partnered to offer C-bridge Package Solutions. Together, Lawson and C-bridge will offer customized, Internet-enabled business solutions for supply chain operations.

The new combined solution includes the LAWSON INSIGHT(R) Business Management System plus the C-bridge RAPID methodology and Application Frameworks. It utilizes leading edge technologies such as the LAWSON INSIGHT Application Designer Suite, Java, JavaScript/HTML, Microsoft ActiveX and on-line analytical processing (OLAP).

"Partnering with C-bridge enables our team to deliver industrial strength Internet business solutions quickly for faster ROI and business value for our clients," said Richard Lawson, president and chief operating officer of Lawson Software. "We can compete head to head with anyone when it comes to features and functionality, but our open, layered architecture really sets us apart from the competition. It gave us a two-year lead in bringing Web-deployable applications to market, and allows us to quickly develop true cross-platform applications and tools that give companies the flexibility to customize their solutions to fit their needs, instead of having to re-engineer their business processes to accommodate their solutions."

RAPID, the Internet-based methodology developed by C-bridge Internet Solutions, is designed to optimize the Internet application development process while managing the risks inherent in the development of custom systems. RAPID ensures implementation speed and success by defining requirements that must be met before proceeding to the next phase. The C-bridge Application Frameworks is a set of guidelines for creating software systems; it combines the flexibility of custom development with the speed and reliability of using pre-built and tested functionality. By utilizing the RAPID methodology and Application Frameworks to deploy Web-based self-service and supply chain applications, companies can achieve a faster implementation and therefore realize a faster return on their investment.

"We feel that our partnership with Lawson Software is a perfect fit and will bring significant value to our mutual customers," said Jerry King, executive vice president, C-bridge Package Solutions. "By leveraging C-bridge's expertise in delivering large scale Internet-based business applications and the new generation of technologies from Lawson, C-bridge Package Solutions will be able to quickly deploy self-service and supply chain management applications to Lawson customers and speed the return on their investment."

Founded in 1996 and based in Cambridge, Mass., C-bridge Internet Solutions is a leading provider of customized Internet-based business applications to global 1000 companies with focus on Supply Chain Management and E-Commerce segments. C-bridge clients include organizations such as Aegon, Chevron, Caterpillar, Harley-Davidson, Cardinal Health, Steelcase, Allmerica Financial, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Toyota. C-bridge has strategic relationships with industry leaders such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Lawson Software, Informix Software, i2 Technologies and Cambridge Executive Enterprises. C-bridge is a privately held, privately financed company.

Lawson Software, The Global Solutions Company, is a $200 million provider of self-evident, role-based Web solutions for financials, human resources, procurement and supply chain management. With more than 2,500 mid- to large-sized corporate customers, and sales of its healthcare solutions growing at 163 percent, Lawson has distinguished itself competitively through a unique blend of feature-rich customer solutions, technology innovation and user-friendly support. Lawson Software has been acclaimed by technology analysts for its innovative and unique use of leading-edge technologies, like Self-Evident Applications(TM) (SEA) on the Web, and Drill Around(TM) for integrated, cross-application data access.

The September 1998 issue of Red Herring names Lawson "the strongest private ERP company" and lists Lawson among the world's top 50 private companies. The Information Technology Association of America asserts Lawson is the first to be certified for Year 2000 compliance. Says the Meta Group, "Lawson gives its customers quantified savings by aiming their technology at saving corporations on overhead...a rare thing in the client/server world." Offering LAWSON INSIGHT for UNIX and NT platforms and Lawson Enterprise/400 for the AS/400, Lawson has offices in 13 countries, more than 20 distributors worldwide and a 96 percent client retention over five years. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis and London. Additional information about Lawson Software is available on the company's Web site, http://www.lawson.com, or by calling (800) 477-1357.

Lawson and LAWSON INSIGHT are registered trademarks of Lawson Software. C-bridge is a registered trademark of C-bridge Internet Solutions. Other company and product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.