CONTACT INFORMATION

Datapult, LP
www.datapult.com

COLUMBUS, OH. and CAMBRIDGE, MA., May 7, 2001 - Datapult, LP, an energy information, data collection and processing services company, and USPowerSolutions, the leading Business Service Provider (BSP) of customer-centric, enterprise-wide solutions for the restructuring energy marketplace, have entered into an alliance agreement to market and sell the most extensive suite of application services available for the energy market.

The alliance between these two leading software companies provides Datapult's meter data, settlement and forecasting services through USPowerSolutions' core technology platform, PowerSolutionÒ, where best-of-breed industry applications are seamlessly integrated into a comprehensive business solution and accessed through a consistent user interface. Datapult provides a complete package of wholesale services to energy industry customers who need comprehensive back-office and retail energy information solutions but deployed in a cost-effective way.

According to Alex Kanuth, President and CEO of USPowerSolutions, "We are thrilled to be chosen as Datapult's retail market partner. By selecting our PowerSolution platform, Datapult is committed in offering an alternative way for competitive energy providers to gain access to its' suite of meter data, settlement, and forecasting services. Our clients will now be able to manage their information assets from wholesale to retail, all within one platform and with one vendor."

In the past, competitive energy providers have had no choice when assembling their back-office IT systems other than to select numerous highly specialized product and service partners and tightly integrate their offerings into a single cohesive information system. This process has resulted in such problems as: significant cost over-runs, deployment and market-entry delays, data quality issues, customer service issues, and general dilution of corporate focus. USPowerSolutions, with the help of alliance partners such as Datapult, is helping these energy companies realize the benefits of a software platform that can radically simplify the integration and management of multiple best-of-breed offerings, while also reducing costs, speeding deployment and market entry, improving data quality and solving customer service issues.

"We are excited about this alliance between two leading energy management solutions providers," said Bill Randle, Managing Director of Datapult. "This partnership will provide energy suppliers a complete suite of back-office services that is unique in the industry. USPowerSolutions' platform truly provides competitive energy providers with the innovative edge they need in this marketplace."

PowerSolution manages all of an energy company's enterprise data and business rules while seamlessly integrating with best-of-breed applications, external trading partners and legacy systems through a common interface. Not only does it process data, manage information and enhance business decisions across the enterprise, but it also provides the foundation for billing, customer care, load forecasting, scheduling and other value-added applications spanning the energy value chain.

About USPowerSolutions®:
USPowerSolutions is the leading Business Service Provider of customer-centric, enterprise-wide solutions for the restructuring energy marketplace. PowerSolution provides energy companies with a single integrated point of access to best-of-breed providers across the entire energy value chain. Using an innovative and proprietary technology platform and a unique application delivery method, USPowerSolutions is able to very rapidly deploy world-class enterprise information systems that are cost effective, easy to manage and highly flexible. USPowerSolutions' customers include some of the most innovative energy companies in North America. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USPowerSolutions can be accessed via the Web at .

About Datapult, LP:
Datapult has substantial experience providing scalable energy information, meter data collection and data warehousing services in both regulated and non-regulated markets across North America. In addition to a robust portfolio of energy services that provide flexibility in collection, warehousing, processing, presentation, delivery and analysis of energy data, Datapult has a proven track record at successfully implementing and supporting projects nationwide.

Datapult, LP, markets energy information, data collection and processing services under the DatapultSM name. Datapult's portfolio of products and services deliver meaningful, accurate information about energy use to commercial, industrial and energy supply customers throughout North America. Datapult services are available directly through Datapult or through one of its Value Added Resellers. Datapult is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with a regional and operations center in Austin, Texas, and a product development center in Roanoke, Virginia. More information about Datapult can be found at www.datapult.com.

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