Saturn Electronics & Engineering Steers Automotive Suppliers to the Web With E-Business Initiative; IPNet Simplifies Management of Private Exchange

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--March 26, 2001--IPNet Solutions Inc., the leader in e-business transaction management, today announced that Saturn Electronics & Engineering Inc., (Saturn) a global contract manufacturer, has selected IPNet eBizness(TM) Transact to simplify the management of its diverse trading partner network with a single point of administration.
    "With the advent of e-business, Saturn recognized the strategic advantage to be gained by trading with its customers and suppliers electronically," said Bill Deighton, Saturn's vice president of information technology and services.
    "With IPNet, we're able to support a diverse range of document and transaction types, communications protocols, transmission schedules and translation requirements with a single solution. The ability to easily manage these disparate requirements was the prime motivator for selecting IPNet."
    In addition to providing a single point of administration, IPNet will enable Saturn to transact business more cost-effectively with its suppliers. By using the Internet as its communications backbone, Saturn will be able to reduce its reliance on value-added networks (VANs) and eliminate transaction fees.
    The company will also be able to include its smaller suppliers, those that were using inefficient paper-based processes, in its e-business initiatives allowing it to speed up their supply chain processes.
    Initially, Saturn will switch material releases from VAN transmission to the Internet in order to enable a greater percentage of its suppliers to access its rolling forecast and adjust their manufacturing plans.
    Previously, when a customer would change an order, Saturn's suppliers would not be able to react to the change for weeks or months, the time it would take for paper-based communications to make their way through the supply chain. With eBizness Transact, suppliers will have access to changes immediately, eliminating surprises that can create excess inventory or product shortfalls.
    This will enable Saturn and its suppliers to be more efficient and responsive to their customers.
    IPNet's ability to translate multiple data types into EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) or human readable documents was very attractive to Saturn. Based on open standards rather than proprietary protocols, eBizness Transact is versatile and adaptable to changing technology and allows suppliers to communicate and transact business via any standard browser or transport protocol (VAN, Internet, FTP, SMTP, HTTP and HTTP/S).
    "Changes to customer orders occur constantly," said Nick Brox, senior vice president of sales and marketing for IPNet. "IPNet provides Saturn with the flexibility to react quickly and to strategically manage its supply chain."
    eBizness Transact is a robust transaction management solution, enabling the secure, real-time delivery of purchase orders, confirmations, invoices and any other business documents over the Internet. It combines support for XML as well as traditional EDI with value-added services such as e-conversions, transaction tracking, auditing and reporting, and functional acknowledgment management.
    Features of the product include rapid implementation, EDI and XML support, content-based routing, flexible integration of legacy and new technologies, support for AS2, and real-time connectivity with immediate notification of received messages.

    About Saturn Electronics & Engineering Inc.

    Founded in 1985, Saturn Electronics & Engineering is a global provider of value-added contract manufacturing services (EMS) to original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers.
    Saturn offers its customers integrated, cost-effective solutions that are responsive to their outsourcing needs, and provides a broad range of services including design and engineering, materials management, manufacturing and assembly, testing and qualifications, delivery and distribution of products, and after sales support. Visit www.saturnee.com for more information.

    About IPNet Solutions

    IPNet Solutions is the leader in e-business transaction management. With its server, PC and browser options, IPNet enables all partners to transact business, share information and collaborate securely over the Internet. VAN fees and paper-based communications are eliminated. Transactions and information flow are optimized.
    By integrating and synchronizing information real-time between trading partners, IPNet unleashes the ROI of legacy systems. IPNet's open solutions are based on industry standards for communications, security, XML and EDI. IPNet's ability to swiftly deploy and implement is unmatched.
    Recent industry recognition includes UPSIDE Magazine's "Hot 100 Private Companies," Computerworld's "Top 100 Emerging Companies to Watch in 2001," Manufacturing Systems' "25 Emerging Companies to Watch," American Electronics Association's "Best Innovative New Product/Technology," iSource's "Top 100 Premier E-Procurement Providers" and RIS News' "Top 50 Retail Software Vendors."
    More information about the company can be found at www.ipnetsolutions.com or 866/476-3848 (866/IPNET4U).