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Betreff: Retek Allianz mit IBMIBM -- Retek Strategic Alliance Projected to Generate $1 Billion Through Joint Solutions for Worldwide Retail Market
DB2 - based Web Solutions to Improve Retail Supply Chain Efficiency
SOMERS, NY & MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 2000-- IBM (NYSE:IBM - news) and retail industry applications leader Retek (Nasdaq:RETK - news) today announced an expansion of their strategic alliance that will produce significant benefits for the worldwide retail industry, while generating revenues of more than $1 billion by 2003 for the two companies.

The new elements of the alliance call for both companies to jointly market, sell, and service a comprehensive retail e-business solution consisting of Retek applications and IBM software and hardware technologies, including DB2* Universal Database. IBM will promote Retek`s products worldwide as the foundation for its retail e-market solution.

Retek has selected IBM Global Services as its leading consulting and implementation partner. In return, IBM will substantially increase its Retek-dedicated staff from 60 to more than 300 professionals, and will lead with Retek`s applications in IBM`s retail solution sales by more than 200 dedicated account executives worldwide.

New technology commitments include Retek`s adaptation of its retail applications, Retail Server** exchange platform and Retail.com** online marketplace to IBM software and hardware technologies. Retek will adopt DB2 as its primary development platform for all future applications. The selection of IBM hardware and software technologies will provide customers with the scalability, openness and flexibility required to build responsive merchandising and supply chain processes. Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will take an undisclosed equity position in Retek. More specific terms were not disclosed.

A major goal of the IBM-Retek alliance is to take aim at the hundreds of billions of dollars in supply chain inefficiencies estimated to exist in the retail industry today. Benefits can be achieved through tighter supply chain orchestration -- leveraging B2B and marketplace exchanges -- shortening time to market and time in market, improved fixed asset utilization and cash operating cycles, integrating multi-channel selling, and customer relationship management.

``This relationship will redefine the landscape by delivering the first end-to-end hardware, software, and services offering designed exclusively for the challenges and opportunities of the new retail economy,`` said Jim Green, IBM`s Vice President of Marketing, Global Distribution Sector. ``This announcement is the latest example of an industry-leading soIution provider choosing IBM as the best technology and services partner in the industry. Together, IBM and Retek offer a formidable combination of technology and industry know-how that will produce a host of benefits and enhance retailers` ability to serve their customers.``

Today`s IBM-Retek announcement for the retail industry follows similar agreements targeted at other markets that IBM has made with other software application leaders including i2, Ariba, and Siebel Systems. These agreements resulted from IBM`s strategic alliance initiative, in which developers gain access to new customers and revenue opportunities through IBM`s extensive marketing, sales, and solutions resources. At the same time, developers lead with IBM`s middleware, server platforms and services.

``This is a landmark announcement for our two companies, our customers and our prospects,`` said John Buchanan, Retek`s Chairman and CEO. ``Most retailers face the mandate of modernizing their retail infrastructures to respond to the urgent challenges posed by multi-channel selling, supply network orchestration, and customer relationship management,`` added Buchanan. ``Retek has the full range of retail solutions. IBM has the presence, reach, and full range of technology and services. Together, our companies provide a compelling choice for retailers anywhere in the world who understand that investments in infrastructure are no longer a cost of doing business, but are the way to do business.``

In addition to standardizing on DB2 Universal Database, Retek will base its future applications on IBM`s Application Framework for e-Business, a technology road map that integrates Internet technologies with traditional information technologies, and on IBM`s WebSphere* product family. Retek also will develop applications on IBM hardware platforms RS/6000*, and Netfinity* servers. As Retek`s preferred implementation partner, IBM Global Services will expand its Minneapolis development center from 60 to 300 professionals to provide customers with training, bench marking and product demonstrations for the IBM-Retek solution.

As part of this agreement, IBM will lead with Retek`s entire product suite including its planning, forecasting, customer relationship management, decision support, core merchandising and B2B collaborations as the leading solution for the retail industry.

About the IBM-Retek Alliance

IBM and Retek began their alliance in March 2000 when they announced a joint offering of hardware, software, and services tailored for the food and drug segment of the retail market. At the same time, IBM and Retek were chosen by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P), to help support the grocer`s Project Great Renewal, a massive overhaul of the company`s supply chain and business management infrastructure and to provide A&P with new e-commerce and business-to-business capabilities.

In July, the relationship between the two companies deepened when Retek was invited to provide design and collaboration services as part of a B2B Alliance comprised of IBM, i2, and Ariba to develop the new technology platform for the WorldWide Retail Exchange, whose 17 founding members include leading food, drug, electronic, and textile retailers from North America, Europe, and Asia. The exchange members have 50,000 stores worldwide and $450 billion in sales, and consist of numerous leading retailers including Best Buy, Gap, Tesco, K-Mart, and Target.

About IBM PartnerWorld for Developers

Software application developers receive support from IBM`s PartnerWorld for Developers (www.developer.ibm.com) - a worldwide program designed to help software developers reach broader markets, lower their costs of doing business, and take their products to market faster.

About IBM

IBM is the world`s largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. The fastest way to get more information about IBM is through the IBM home page at http://www.ibm.com.

About Retek Inc.

Retek Inc. delivers high capacity, full function business infrastructure exclusively for the changing world of retail.

Retek`s solutions deliver improved decision-making capabilities and operational efficiencies by enabling supplier network orchestration, multi-channel selling, and retail CRM. Retek solutions are available on client platforms, through retail.com -- Retek`s Marketplace for the Retail Community -- and via electronic exchanges operating Retek`s Retail Server.

Retek`s customers include A&P, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Family Dollar Stores, Kohl`s Department Stores, Selfridges, Eckerd Corp., The Home Shopping Network, Tosco, and Best Buy.

For more information, visit Retek`s web site at http://www.retek.com or call. 1-877-362-2532. Retek can be contacted in Europe at [phone].

Forward Looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward looking statements including statements regarding the Company`s expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward looking statements include statements regarding future sales, market growth, competition and potential revenues to be generated through the IBM -- Retek alliance. All forward looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward looking statement. Actual results could differ materially from the Company`s current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, Future Losses, Limited Operating History, Fluctuation of Quarterly Revenues and Operating Results, Competition, Dependence on a Small Number of Large Orders, Lengthy Sales Cycle and Product Implementation, Acquisition Integration, Market Awareness of Our Product, Rapid Changes in E-Relationships Technology and New Products, and other factors and risks discussed in the Company`s 10K, as amended and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission

Denotes a trademark of the IBM Corporation.
Denotes a trademark of Retek.

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