Covast EDI Accelerator Is Again Certified eBusinessReady™ for AS2 EDI/XML Interoperability

Covast Technology Connects and Delivers Unmatched Cost Savings to Pepsi Bottling Ventures' Value Chain

ATLANTA -- October 9, 2003 -- Covast, provider of the recommended electronic data interchange (EDI) solution for Microsoft BizTalk Server, announced today that it has been re-certified for AS2 EDI/XML messaging interoperability over the Internet and achieved eBusinessReady certification by eBusinessReady™, an industry-neutral software compliance and interoperability testing program under joint partnership of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) and Drummond Group, Inc. (DGI).

AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is the draft specification standard by which applications communicate EDI or XML data over the Internet. Completing and passing the program's interoperability testing for the AS2 specification is becoming increasingly important for customers that are constantly looking to boost efficiency and lower the cost for transmitting critical business data. An eBusinessReady certified product enables companies to truly utilize open communication across their supply chain and distribution channels - eliminating costly communication obstacles and fostering much more efficient trading partner relationships.

"Covast's EDI/AS2 software enables us to automate our EDI process with several key customers," said Steve Munson, network engineer, Pepsi Bottling Ventures. "The Covast AS2 product has lowered our total cost of ownership, in respect to our eBusiness solution, while enabling us to significantly reduce administration overhead."

When implemented, AS2 enables users to connect, deliver and reply to data securely and reliably, saving money, and adding flexibility and control on how the data is utilized or reported. eBusinessReady tests require each product to exchange AS2 messages with other eBusiness products and verify the validity of each message received from the other solutions.

"Our AS2 eBusiness Ready certification means that users of Covast software will save on implementation costs and leverage EDI and XML messaging over the Internet - enabling trading partners to connect and deliver unequaled cost savings to their supply chains," said Daan Scheer, founder and CEO, Covast.

Covast's flagship EDI Accelerator enables complex electronic data interchange support within BizTalk Server. In Q2 of 2003, Covast brought on over twenty new customer accounts worldwide, including: Siemens, Citrix Systems, Inc., JetBlue Airways, ABB, CNF Service Company, Inc., Vendex KBB, Ocean Spray, Hillebrand and Gasunie.

As a premier member of the BizTalk Server Partner Program, Covast supports Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004, the foundation for Microsoft's "Jupiter" vision.

About eBusinessReady
eBusinessReady is an industry-neutral software testing program, under joint partnership of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) and Drummond Group Inc. (DGI), to enable vertical and horizontal interoperability across the global supply chain. For software buyers, eBusinessReady provides a valued resource for product selection and cost savings by taking the guesswork out of implementing interoperable supply chain solutions. For software vendors, eBusinessReady certifies solutions and enables companies to deliver certified interoperable products to their customers. The eBusinessReady program addresses the needs of enterprises and supply chains by providing a neutral third party test of various software solutions for interoperability and compliance. Visit www.ebusinessready.org for more information, or email: information@ebusinessready.org.

About Covast
Covast provides the recommended EDI solution for the BizTalk Server environment. The combination of Microsoft BizTalk Server and the Covast EDI Accelerator delivers the ultimate B2B solution - enabling companies to easily integrate their EDI infrastructures with internal applications and providing a gateway for connecting trading communities. With its European headquarters in the Netherlands and its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Covast has strategic relationships with partners and customers including Microsoft, HP, Akzo Nobel, Grampian Foods, SMI Steel and Oldcastle. For more information, visit www.covast.com.

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