CONTACT INFORMATION

Open-c Solutions
www.open-c.com

MINNEAPOLIS, MN., May 11, 2001 – Open-c Solutions, a leading provider of customer-centric solutions, and Energy Solutions Plus (ESP), a leading integrator specializing in customer information systems (CIS), today announced a teaming agreement under which the two companies will work together on CIS implementation engagements to deliver the Open-cIS customer-care and billing system to clients. ESP is also providing functional and technical resources to assist with design, development, and testing of Open-cIS business functionality.

“Our staff has significant experience developing and implementing customer information systems, and we see Open-cIS as an emerging leader among CIS solutions,” explains Vince Phelps, President of ESP. “We feel there is a natural fit between our two organizations given our shared corporate values of integrity, professionalism, competence, use of structured methodology, and a commitment to deliver the highest possible value to our clients. By working closely together, we can staff highly competent and synergistic implementation teams at new Open-cIS clients.”

Pat Langan, President of Open-c Solutions, welcomes ESP as a business partner: “As a growing company, Open-c must ensure that our clients' CIS needs are fully satisfied. Therefore we initiated a project to identify high quality integration service providers in order to build integration bench strength. Finding a partner with ESP’s experience, successful track record, and compatible values and culture provides real benefit. We believe that teaming with ESP will strengthen our implementation capability and the value proposition we offer to Open-cIS clients, and additionally provides skilled and experienced resources to aid in the advancement of our software.”

Mr. Langan went on to say, “At Open-c we have been utilizing ESP resources and capabilities for about six months, and have been extremely impressed.  In performing our due diligence, we found that other ESP clients have had similar experiences with ESP: quality people consistently delivering quality results.”

In addition to their current collaborative efforts, Open-c Solutions and Energy Solutions Plus will jointly pursue new business opportunities where utility and energy companies are searching for the industry's best-in-class CIS to be bundled with first-rate, cost-effective implementation services.

About Open-c Solutions
Open-c Solutions, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a leading provider of customer-centric solutions for the open-access era for major utilities, energy marketers, and service bureaus. Open-cIS is a next-generation CIS offered as a supported software license and as an application service. Visit Open-c Solutions’ web site at www.open-c.com.

About Energy Solutions Plus (ESP)
Energy Solutions Plus, Inc., founded in November 1996, is a leading provider of premier integration and consulting services to companies within the energy industry. ESP delivers business and technology consulting solutions to help its clients navigate and excel in the changing marketplace.

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