Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2004--

Chemicals program to address innovative techniques and best practices to improve ROCE and reduce costs in Orlando, Florida, October 10-15, 2004

Aspen Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AZPN), today announced that a revolutionary software portfolio for Enterprise Operations Management (EOM) in the chemical industry will be revealed at AspenWorld 2004, October 10-15, 2004, in Orlando, Florida. This new offering addresses the key business areas in the chemical industry including engineering and innovation, plant operations, and supply chain management and supports the industry's drive to achieve operational excellence.

AspenWorld 2004 features a comprehensive program focused on process industry issues and challenges. Among industry leaders participating in the plenary session of the chemicals track, "Chemicals: Leadership through Operational Excellence", are James V. Porter, Vice President, Engineering and Operations, DuPont; Joe Bernard, Manufacturing General Manager, Lyondell-Equistar; and Dick Hill, Vice President, Manufacturing Advisory Services, ARC Advisory Group. The plenary presentations will be followed by four sessions that explore the business processes in the chemical industry and describe how companies are applying best practices and innovative techniques to reduce costs, increase return on capital employed, and drive sustainable competitive advantage:

    --  Visibility and Analytics: Impact on Chemicals -- exploring how
        real-time visibility and analytics can enable manufacturers to
        realize substantial additional value from their information
        systems

    --  Production Optimization: New Capabilities in Chemicals --
        revealing how producers have used innovative techniques to
        achieve greater operational efficiency and improve business
        decisions

    --  Justifying, Assessing, and Maximizing Technology Investments
        -- addressing key issues including the importance of the
        business case and how to facilitate changes in the
        organization

    --  Production Planning and Scheduling in Chemicals -- meeting the
        challenges of a dynamic, demand-driven marketplace using the
        latest planning and scheduling technologies and best-practice
        business processes.

"The $1.7 trillion global chemical industry continues to experience unprecedented pressure from suppliers, customers, and shareholders," said David McQuillin, President and CEO, AspenTech. "This environment demands that chemical manufacturers are able to resolve challenges such as commoditization, globalization, consolidation, intra-industry sales, and capital intensity. We are confident that the insight offered by chemical industry leaders at AspenWorld 2004 will provide companies with a unique chance to explore new ways of exceeding their profit and revenue goals."

The chemical industry track is part of an AspenWorld 2004 (www.aspenworld2004.com) program which includes nearly 300 presentations from companies such as BASF, The Dow Chemical Company, BP Chemicals, SABIC and ChevronPhillips Chemical; a showcase of AspenTech's solutions for Enterprise Operations Management (EOM); and a conference agenda that offers opportunities for valuable discussions, learning experiences, and mixing with industry peers. To view the AspenWorld 2004 program and build your own agenda, visit www.aspenworld.2004.com/myagenda/.

About AspenTech

Aspen Technology, Inc. provides industry-leading software and implementation services that enable process companies to increase efficiency and profitability. AspenTech's engineering product line is used to design and improve plants and processes, maximizing returns throughout an asset's operating life. Its manufacturing/supply chain product line allows companies to increase margins in their plants and supply chains, by managing customer demand, optimizing production, and streamlining the delivery of finished products. These two offerings are combined to create solutions for enterprise operations management (EOM), integrated enterprise-wide systems that provide process manufacturers with the capability to dramatically improve their operating performance. Over 1,500 leading companies already rely on AspenTech's software, including Shell, BP, ChevronTexaco, ExxonMobil, Total, Aventis, Bayer, BASF, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Fluor, and GlaxoSmithKline. For more information, visit www.aspentech.com.

AspenTech and the aspen leaf logo are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

CONTACT: For Media:
Aspen Technology, Inc.
Robin Swanger, 281-504-3256
robin.swanger@aspentech.com
or
For Investors:
Aspen Technology, Inc.
Joshua Young, 617-949-1274
joshua.young@aspentech.com
SOURCE: Aspen Technology, Inc.