APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES CUSTOMERS PARTNERS NEWS/EVENTS COMPANY

OPENCONNECT AND GARTNER DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF SERVICE-ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE IN AN ALL NEW WEBCAST
Industry Leaders Discuss Benefits & Best Practices of SOAs for the mainframe.

DALLAS , TEXAS (August 30, 2004) — OpenConnect Systems, Inc., the pioneer of secure mainframe-to-web solutions, today launched a new Webcast entitled SOA for the Mainframe: Create New Revenue Channels with Web Services. OpenConnect partnered with Gartner, Inc., the world's leading technology research and advisory firm to explore benefits and best practices of service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web services. The 30-minute Webcast, available on-demand at www.oc.com, explains how enterprise decision-makers can move beyond traditional legacy systems and extend business applications to the Web via Service-Oriented Architectures. The Webcast also discusses how organizations can expose mainframe applications as services that can be used to create new revenue channels and streamline business.

Dale Vecchio, research director in Gartner Research, is the featured presenter for the Webcast. Mr. Vecchio works in the Application Development area of the Research Advisory Service, and is a leading analyst specializing in tools, processes and methodologies for development of composite applications. Also presenting is Stuart H. Burris, Jr., President and Chief Technology Officer at OpenConnect. Mr. Burris overseas OpenConnect’s entire operation, as well as its overarching technology. During his tenure at OpenConnect, he has been instrumental in the development of the architecture for the company’s industry leading Mainframe2Web Solution Series. Mr. Burris brings over 20 years of technology experience to OpenConnect.

Together, Mr. Vecchio and Mr. Burris, discuss the future of Web services and how they provide the most flexible, low-cost and low-risk opportunity to utilize business logic on mainframes, reduce costs and increase revenue.

The Webcast covers the following critical topics:

  • Mainframe Evolution Trends
  • Business Issues Driving the Need for SOA
  • Key Issues Regarding SOA and the Mainframe
  • Core SOA Functionality
  • Benefit of SOA for the Mainframe
  • SOA Customer Case Studies
  • Critical Factors to Consider Before Deploying SOA

This Webcast is free and can be accessed at any time during the next twelve months at www.oc.com.

About Gartner.
Gartner, Inc. is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 10,000 clients, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Gartner Intelligence, research and events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has 3,700 associates, including more than 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.

About OpenConnect Systems, Inc.
OpenConnect is the premier supplier of secure Mainframe-to-Web solutions for Global 2000 organizations. The company's Mainframe2Web Secure Solutions Series provides companies with cost effective, secure access to critical business information and applications within mainframes. By providing customers, partners and employees with secure access to mainframe data, organizations can significantly increase productivity, information sharing and revenue generating opportunities. OpenConnect's Mainframe2Web Secure Solutions Series consists of Secure Access Solutions (WebConnect, WebConnect SSO), Mainframe2Web Development tools (eXtremeVista and Visual 3270) and Web Services Development Tools (xmlConnect). The company's products are distributed in over 60 countries and used by more than 60% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information on OpenConnect, visit their website at www.oc.com.