Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2004-- Aspen Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AZPN) today announced the release of aspenONE(TM), the first comprehensive set of software solutions for the Enterprise Operations Management market. aspenONE solutions provide process manufacturers with integrated systems that use the value of simulation models to help increase operational efficiency and profitability across their global enterprise.

Using aspenONE, process companies will be able to transform the way they manage their key business processes of engineering and innovation, plant operations and supply chain management. The aspenONE solutions enable a range of key capabilities that support real-time management and decision-making, including the ability to deliver:

• Consistent information and models to help individuals make more profitable decisions
• Real-time visibility into the entire global production network
• Role-based access providing users with relevant data and analytical tools
• Integration with existing plant and business systems using a standard approach.

"Process models provide the key to unlock significant new value for process manufacturers," said David McQuillin, president and CEO, AspenTech. "With aspenONE, companies can use these models to improve the way they design and run their operations, translating real-time operating data into valuable information that can support better decision-making. By enabling more efficient collaboration, aspenONE also ensures that decisions can be optimized to benefit the overall enterprise, rather than an individual plant or unit."

Integrated Industry Solutions

aspenONE is comprised of integrated solutions tailored to the demands of six process industry markets: oil & gas, petroleum, chemicals, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals and consumer packaged goods. The solutions consist of software modules that address the key business processes in each vertical market. These modules are built on AspenTech's range of industry-leading technology applications that have delivered significant value to the process industries for over two decades, including Aspen HYSYS(R), Aspen Plus(R), DMCplus(R), InfoPlus.21(R), Aspen MIMI(TM) and Aspen PIMS(TM).

A comprehensive range of business process solutions is available with the first release of aspenONE, including:

• aspenONE Asset Optimization for Oil & Gas -- a gas lift optimization solution that builds on the capabilities of Aspen HYSYS and Open Simulation Environment, combined with modeling technology from Schlumberger, to enable upstream companies to maximize production rates from their oil & gas operations.
• aspenONE Inventory Management & Scheduling for Petroleum -- utilizing AspenTech's industry leading petroleum applications to help companies manage inventories by making optimal buy vs. make vs. trade decisions, and optimize their movement scheduling, transportation selection and blending decisions.
• aspenONE Performance Management for Chemicals -- enabling ethylene producers to get the information they require to align plant operations with production plans and feedstock purchases, using AspenTech's simulation, real-time optimization and supply chain planning products.

Secure Integration and Low Cost-of-Ownership

Providing low IT cost-of-ownership was a major priority in the development of aspenONE. The entire offering is delivered on a single set of six DVDs, to ensure that it is easy to install, manage and maintain. The solutions utilize commonly accepted industry standards and technologies, making it straightforward to integrate them with existing plant and business applications. The modular design of the business process solutions also makes it possible for companies to control the scope of implementation projects, avoiding the need for complex company-wide deployments.

To accommodate the multiple Distributed Control System (DCS) technologies used by process manufacturers across their plant assets, aspenONE provides a standard software layer to integrate with all major DCS systems. This integration maintains the integrity and security of the DCS environment to ensure that plant safety is not compromised. The aspenONE user interface provides a standard approach for personnel from different plants to access data and make decisions, irrespective of the DCS system on which they are trained. aspenONE also enables process companies to extend the useful life of their existing DCS systems by minimizing the need to invest further in software for those systems.

All aspenONE solutions are based on the proven Aspen Operations Manager technology infrastructure, which is already being successfully used by over 30 major process manufacturers. Aspen Operations Manager uses industry-standard products from Microsoft, TIBCO and others to provide a strong foundation for integrated enterprise systems.

At the core of Aspen Operations Manager is the Open Simulation Environment, which allows multiple users and applications to develop and use the same set of process models. It also provides the infrastructure that enables the aspenONE solutions to be integrated, using a standard approach, with plant and business applications from other vendors, and which allows consistent data and models to be shared by all users.

Aspen Operations Manager features additional capabilities that enable individual users to access the information and applications required to do their job, including role-based visualization, performance scorecarding, and event management.

About AspenTech

Aspen Technology, Inc. provides industry-leading software and implementation services that enable process companies to use simulation models to increase efficiency and profitability. aspenONE, a new generation of software solutions from AspenTech, represents a major step forward in helping process manufacturers achieve their strategic operational excellence initiatives. The first comprehensive offering to address the demands of the Enterprise Operations Management (EOM) market, aspenONE provides companies with integrated systems that enable them to manage and optimize their operational performance. Over 1,500 leading companies already rely on AspenTech's software, including Aventis, Bayer, BASF, BP, ChevronTexaco, Dow Chemical, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Fluor, GlaxoSmithKline, Shell, and Total. For more information, visit www.aspentech.com.

AspenTech, aspenONE, Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, DMCplus, InfoPlus.21, Aspen MIMI and Aspen PIMS and the aspen leaf logo are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

CONTACT:
Aspen Technology, Inc.
Media:
Robin Swanger, 281-504-3256
robin.swanger@aspentech.com

Investors:
Joshua Young, 617-949-1274
joshua.young@aspentech.com