CONTACT INFORMATION

BEND, OR. October 11, 1999 - Orcom Solutions, the City of Austin, Texas, and City-owned electric utility Austin Energy celebrated the October 4^th go-live of the utility’s new Customer Information System to serve Austin Energy’s 320,000 electric customers. Orcom, in partnership with IBM Global Services, is delivering its Enterprise Customer Information System (E-CIS) and managed information technology (IT) services via its Total Customer Care^SM outsource offering.

The new CIS software and services support the City’s and Austin Energy’s focus on several priorities – to Deliver world-class customer service, to continuously improve performance, to control operating costs, and to prepare for deregulation. In addition to Electric service, the City of Austin bills for other utility services including water, wastewater and solid waste, with special fees for drainage and transportation.

Charles B. Manning Jr., General Manager of Austin Energy, said, “Partnering with Orcom allows Austin Energy to provide its customers with enhanced customer service, to Offer new and innovative services, and to Deliver those services at a competitive price. Focusing on our priorities, including the highest quality customer service, will position Austin Energy for success in the future.”

Manning added, “Orcom has been extremely responsive in tailoring a solution that takes advantage of our existing resources, while providing the tools to advance Austin Energy’s capabilities in critical areas. For example, the new CIS enables us to extend Call Center hours, implement Interactive Voice Recognition and, eventually, Internet access for customer service.”

The new E-CIS also enables Austin Energy to provide a more informative and flexible customer bill. The new expanded bill format provides customers with more details about their service and consumption history, including usage graphs. Other service improvements will be phased in over time, including faster response to Customer calls, more rapid account updates, automated budget billing, improved account management and tracking for landlords, and automated electronic funds transfer for customer payment convenience.

Drew Child, president of Orcom Solutions, said, “We are pleased to play a key role in supporting the City of Austin and Austin Energy’s commitment to Delivering superior customer service. Their relentless pursuit of innovation and service improvements, such as their world-class Call Center, will ensure their success in the changing utility environment. Delivering our Total Customer Care solution on an outsourced basis will enable Chuck Manning and his staff to focus on sustaining their competitive position and developing new business opportunities.”

Child added, “With the addition of the City of Austin, Orcom’s outsourcing services generate more than one million customer bills per month. Serving major utilities such as the City of Austin and Austin Energy affirms Orcom’s leadership position as the preferred outsourcing provider in the utility market.”

About Austin Energy
Austin Energy is the City of Austin’s largest financial asset, with annual revenues of more than $700 million. In the last several years, the utility has simultaneously undertaken customer service and organizational streamlining initiatives, including reducing staffing by over 300 positions since 1995. In fiscal year 1998, Austin Energy documented some $18 million dollars in reduced costs and improved efficiencies. For more information, visit www.austinenergy.com.

About IBM Global Services
IBM Global Services provides management and support for IT operations through Service Delivery Centers around the world. IBM delivers the professionals, technology, processes and tools, allowing customers to focus on their core businesses. IBM Global Services’ systems management controls support efficient, reliable operations, while adapting to change and anticipating opportunities for improved service and cost control. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/services.

About Orcom Solutions
Orcom Solutions is a leading provider of customer information solutions for municipalities, utilities and energy service companies in the deregulating marketplace. Orcom 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 customer information solutions for utilities and energy providers around the world.

# # #