RosettaNet Press Release
Global High Technology Industry Commits to 14 Milestone Programs Using RosettaNet Standards in 2002

Program Initiatives Feature New Business Processes and Extend RosettaNet's Leadership Role in Facilitating Production Implementations Worldwide

For Release April 23, 2002

Santa Ana, CA --

RosettaNet, the high technology industry's leading e-business standards consortium, today announced that its global Information Technology (IT), Electronic Components (EC), Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) and Solution Provider (SP) Boards have committed this year to achieving production implementations of RosettaNet standards through 14 new or extended consortium Milestone Programs. The 2002 Program initiatives aim to broaden implementation of established business process scenarios as well as develop new standardized business processes with standards benefiting the high technology supply chain.

RosettaNet Milestone Programs are Partner-driven goals for developing and implementing consortium standards for specific business processes. These Programs drive collaboration to solve critical supply chain challenges, aligning priorities within the high technology trading partner and solution provider communities, and speeding development and production implementation of RosettaNet Partner Interface Process™ (PIP ^®) standards.

RosettaNet recently reported that its 2001 Milestone Programs yielded more than 450 documented Partner production connections, with a comparable number of production implementations assumed worldwide. These figures are significant in that they represent a record number of production connections – from start to finish -- in less than six months time.

Specifically, 2001 Programs were focused on creating the building blocks for e-business process scenarios, or multiple PIP exchanges, within the supply chain. In 2002, RosettaNet is focused on advancing implementations of these business process scenarios that enable companies to connect with multiple partners that engage more of the supply chain.

"This year, RosettaNet Partners are looking to build upon their e-business successes, further expanding RosettaNet-based trading network and supply chain processes," said Jennifer Hamilton, CEO of RosettaNet. "The production commitments made via the 2002 Milestone Programs represent deeper and broader implementations of RosettaNet's process scenarios worldwide.   By year-end, we anticipate more than doubling the number of production connections."

New Business Process Scenario Standards in Development

A number of RosettaNet 2002 Milestone Programs address business process automation requirements that have challenged the high tech supply chain for some time.    Milestone Programs involving business process standardization include:

·          Design Engineering Information Program , led by Sony, and Product Catalogue Information Program, led by Intel Corporation , both of which focus on standardizing the exchange of Product Information between buyers and sellers to support product design and catalog updates.

·          Ship Notice Program , led by Amkor Technology and Global Billing Program, led by Intel.   Shi pping and payment are critical post-order processes.

·          Forecasted Inventory Management Program , headed up by JSR and NEC, is focused on reducing lead-times for inventory deliveries and allows for more accurate demand signals to increase visibility in the supply chain and enhances supplier responsiveness.

·          Direct Ship 3/PL Program , led by Intel, is a new business process automation activity focusing on direct and outsourced shipping and logistics PIPs.

·          Warranty Program , led by Compaq, which moves RosettaNet e-business processes in the services segment.

"The RosettaNet Milestone Programs have been instrumental in addressing global supply chain challenges facing the electronics industry," said Charles Goodwin, Director of Intel's Private e-Market Office. "Intel's leadership role in three of the 2002 milestone programs represents our continued focus on collaborating with the industry to drive business process improvements and increase efficiencies between global trading partners."

Phase Two Milestone Programs Building Upon 2001 Program Successes

RosettaNet's Milestone Programs now have an established track record for bringing participating companies to production implementation.  As demonstrated by the consortium’s 2002 Programs, many of these same companies are targeting to achieve even greater end-to-end integration of their business processes.   This year’s key initiatives include second phases of Milestone Programs implemented in 2001, each intended to drive more PIPs within the existing Program framework into a broader set of trading partners.

Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) Order Management Program led by Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector

Order Management in Japan – Extended Program led by Sony

Collaborative Forecasting Program led by STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments

Manufacturing WIP and Manufacturing Work Order Program led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC)

Design Win Program led by Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector

Ship From Stock Program led by Arrow Electronics

These programs have significant participation from leaders within the high technology industry.   The majority of RosettaNet supply chain board members are involved in one or more 2002 Milestone Programs.   More than 50 high technology companies worldwide are currently involved in these programs, and the number is expected to grow as the programs move closer to their milestone implementation goals.

" RosettaNet Milestone Programs are powerful tools for promoting RosettaNet implementation in Japan," said Shigenori Nomura, Deputy General Manager, Sony RosettaNet Project Promotion.   "Sony's leadership role in the Order Management in Japan – Extended Program accelerates the replacement of VAN-EDI to RosettaNet standards.   The Design Engineering Information Program realizes a valuable collaboration between suppliers and engineers."

For additional information on RosettaNet’s 2002 Milestone Programs and/or to view this year’s Program participants, please visit the RosettaNet Web site at www.rosettanet.org (view Programs > Milestone Programs).

About RosettaNet

RosettaNet is an independent, non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network.

More than 400 companies representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues currently participate in RosettaNet’s standards development, strategy and implementation activities. A complete list of member companies and more information on RosettaNet is available at www.rosettanet.org .