Partner Press Release
eHITEX Proves That RosettaNet Standards Work for Catalogs

Common Language Facilitates Faster Transactions and Improved Communication

For Release September 27, 2000

SUNNYVALE

eHITEX (www.ehitex.com), the online marketplace for the high-tech industry, announced it has successfully processed RosettaNet transactions with Compaq Corp. (www.compaq.com).

RosettaNet (www.rosettanet.org) is a nonprofit consortium developing standard electronic business interfaces for the EC and IT industries. The transaction, which uploaded product information from Compaq into eHITEX's catalog, is known as a RosettaNet PIP 2A1 transaction. (PIP™ is short for Partner Interface Process™.) This was the first time an exchange successfully completed and processed a RosettaNet transaction of this type. Benefits derived from eHITEX's use of RosettaNet standards include enhanced communication among buyers and sellers, as well as time and cost savings to conduct transactions.

"This transaction with Compaq demonstrates eHITEX's commitment to standards as a key ingredient in bringing efficient, clear communication to the high-tech industry, and recognizes the work that RosettaNet partners have accomplished in both process and data communications," said Wendy Caswell, interim co-chief executive officer of eHITEX. "Procurement managers and suppliers now have an easier time ordering and selling parts, respectively. Parts standardization using RosettaNet allows for increased velocity of orders leading to higher revenues and exchange liquidity. This is one more step by eHITEX to deliver on its promise to create the leading high-tech exchange."

"As Compaq continues its strategy of 'Everything to the Internet,' innovative e-commerce standards like RosettaNet have become increasingly important," said Bob Napier, Compaq's senior vice president, Information Management and chief information officer. "Proof of RosettaNet efficacy was recently established when Compaq placed one of the largest dollar orders in RosettaNet history -- $3.2 million. Compaq is proud to be a leader in establishing industry-wide RosettaNet standards by sending the first catalog that supports RosettaNet for use in eHITEX's online marketplace."

"We are pleased that eHITEX will be taking RosettaNet into the exchange space and leveraging the RosettaNet standard in its open exchange," said Mary Schoonmaker, vice president of marketing, RosettaNet. "This allows buyers to efficiently and precisely communicate information to sellers, who can in turn accurately promote their goods and buyers."

About eHITEX
eHITEX is an independent company launched by some of the leading names in global high-technology including suppliers, OEMs, CEMs and distributors. It is an open, equal nonexclusive, secure and confidential exchange. Founding members include: Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A), AMD (NYSE: AMD), Canon (NASDAQ: CANNY), Compaq (NYSE: CPQ), Gateway (NYSE: GTW), Hitachi (NYSE: HIT), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HWP), NEC (NASDAQ: NIPNY), Quantum (NYSE: DSS), Samsung Electronics (OTC: SSNIF), SCI Systems (NYSE: SCI), Solectron (NYSE: SLR), Synnex (privately held), Tatung (TAI: 2371.TW) and Western Digital (NYSE: WDC).

About RosettaNet
RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, nonprofit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces to align the processes between supply chain partners on a global basis. Launched in June 1998, RosettaNet is currently in the pilot phase of its implementation cycle.

More than 250 companies representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology and electronic components revenues currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities. A complete list of member companies and more information on RosettaNet can be found at www.rosettanet.org.