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BEND, OR. May 19, 1999 -Orcom Solutions, a leading provider of customer information and billing systems for the deregulating utility and energy services industry, announced today that The Montana Power Company (NTSE:MTP), a diversified energy and telecommunications company based in Butte, Montana, has implemented Orcom's Total Customer Care. Orcom Solutions, a leading provider of customer information and billing systems for the deregulating utility and energy services industry, announced today that The Montana Power Company (NTSE:MTP), a diversified energy and telecommunications company based in Butte, Montana, has implemented Orcom's Total Customer Care. Orcom Solutions, a leading provider of customer information and billing systems for the deregulating utility and energy services industry, announced today that The Montana Power Company (NTSE:MTP), a diversified energy and telecommunications company based in Butte, Montana, has implemented Orcom's Total Customer Care. Orcom Solutions, a leading provider of customer information and billing systems for the deregulating utility and energy services industry, announced today that The Montana Power Company (NTSE:MTP), a diversified energy and telecommunications company based in Butte, Montana, has implemented Orcom's Total Customer Care^SM outsourcing services to help it meet the challenges of deregulation and achieve Year 2000 compliance.

Orcom and Montana Power signed a long-term multi-million dollar contract for delivery of Orcom's Enterprise Customer Information System (E-CIS) in an electronic over-the-wire subscription-based environment. Montana Power serves a total of 330,000 electric and natural gas customers in a service area covering 107,600 square miles (73 percent of Montana's land area) spanning the Continental Divide.

Using a phased approach, Orcom was first able to provide a rapid implementation of less than 60 days to provide preliminary billing services for a small number of Montana Power customers who already have moved to supplier choice, a key element of the deregulated utility market. In the program's second phase, Orcom and Montana Power are working toward a full conversion of all utility customers in August 1999. Orcom will manage all processes including billing, printing and mailing activities, and IT operations.

David A. Johnson, vice-president of distribution services at Montana Power, said, "Our primary reason for choosing Orcom was the system's ability to present a customer bill in an unbundled format, as required by deregulation. The fact that Orcom's CIS was already running in other deregulated states gave us confidence they could provide what we needed." Johnson added, "Timing was another crucial factor. Orcom's outsourcing services will allow us to have a Y2K compliant system in full operation by August 1."

Johnson also cited the value of the E-CIS's flexibility and scalability as Montana Power transitions to a competitive marketplace. "As the momentum for customer choice builds, we will have the capability to implement new strategies to meet our customer's needs," Johnson said. "Since Orcom manages all the hardware and software upgrades, we are assured of additional features and capacity as our customer base grows."

"Orcom is enthusiastic about this new partnership to assist Montana Power in providing superior customer service. It demonstrates Montana Power's confidence in our Total Customer Care outsourcing services," said Drew Child, president of Orcom Solutions. Child added, "We appreciate the spirit of collaboration and team work that is helping to ensure the success of this project."

About Montana Power and Orcom Solutions, Inc.
The Montana Power Company was formed in 1912 through the merger of four small regional electric companies. The company now operates or invests in businesses worldwide, supplying energy – electricity, natural gas, oil and coal – and providing energy and telecommunications services. The company has assets of $2.9 billion, consolidated revenues for the 12 months ending December 31, 1998 of approximately $1.25 billion, net income of $162 million, and 2,900 employees.

About Orcom Solutions
Orcom Solutions, Inc. is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, operates an office in Denver, Colorado and delivers outsourcing services from its Customer Service Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Orcom currently has more than 600 employees devoted exclusively to providing solutions for utilities and energy providers around the world. Orcom has received the IBM Mark of Quality Award for four consecutive years. In 1998, Orcom received IBM's highest level of recognition with a Gold Level award, a distinction held by only a few of IBM's Business Partners. Orcom Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of en.able, LLC, headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado.

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