mrc Announces Support for WebSphere

Easily Build and Deploy Enterprise-strength WebSphere Applications

Lombard, IL, July 24, 2001 — e-business software and services leader michaels, ross & cole, ltd. (mrc) today announced that applications built using its iSeries tool suite, the mrc-Productivity Series, are fully integrated with IBM's WebSphere® Application Server.

A premier Java™ technology-based software platform, WebSphere Application Server provides a flexible infrastructure to deploy, integrate, and manage e-business applications. Applications built using the mrc-Productivity Series are fully compliant within this environment and allow organizations to leverage their investment in existing data and server assets. This compatibility simplifies application development and deployment and reduces time-to-market for iSeries customers.

"WebSphere application development is a new challenge for most iSeries shops. With the mrc-Productivity Series, you can take advantage of the portability and openness of Java and WebSphere without the large learning curve or cost associated with manual application development. mrc is a leading tool vendor with a history of providing excellent productivity solutions for iSeries customers and with this new announcement, you can deploy Java applications to a powerful transaction processing systems like iSeries or to any other Java-compliant platform," states Doug Fulmer, Worldwide Segment Manager, iSeries Application Development Tools and Middleware for IBM.

"By combining the power and flexibility of WebSphere with the fast and easy application-development capabilities of mrc-Productivity Series, our customers are realizing their e-business goals ahead of schedule and under budget while protecting their investments against future technologies," said Tracy Doell, mrc director of communications. "With demonstrated commitments to open-platform technologies from both IBM and mrc, our customers are confident that their e-business solutions will last far into the future."

About IBM's (NYSE: IBM) WebSphere Software

WebSphere is Internet infrastructure software — known as middleware — that enables companies to develop, deploy and integrate next-generation e-business applications, such as those for business-to-business e-commerce. WebSphere supports business applications from simple Web publishing through enterprise-scale transaction processing. WebSphere transforms the way businesses manage customer, partner, and employee relationships.

About the mrc-Productivity Series

The mrc-Productivity Series provides Web site creation, rapid application development, and report writing capabilities and is available immediately. The product's tier-based pricing begins at $25,000. All product enhancements are free to existing customers who subscribe to the company's maintenance and warranty program.

About mrc

mrc was founded in 1981 and provides award-winning software, expert consulting, and advanced education services for the IBM iSeries 400, client/server, and Java markets. Its US-based and international affiliate network serves more than 4000 customers worldwide. For more information, contact mrc at 1920 South Highland Avenue, Suite 203, Lombard, IL 60148; via phone at 630/916-0662; via fax at 630/916-0663; via e-mail at mrc@mrc-productivity.com; or via the Internet at www.mrc-productivity.com.

###

PRESS ONLY: For interviews or more information, contact Heather Gately, mrc director of communications, at 630/916-0662 or heatherg@mrc-productivity.com.

IBM, WebSphere, and iSeries are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines in the United States, other countries, or both.

Java and all Java-based trademarks and logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both.