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Conversant
www.conversant.com

DALLAS, TX, April 17, 2002 – Conversant, Inc., a new software technology firm with offices in Dallas and Joplin, Missouri, has announced plans to formally introduce Customer Watch™, an advanced customer care and billing management software designed specifically for utilities and energy service providers. The product will be introduced at the upcoming CIS Conference in Baltimore.

According to Stan Royal, Conversant’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, Customer Watch has won several awards for its object-oriented design, versatility, and ease of use. It also has been lauded by industry analysts for its ability to adapt to the business models of both regulated and deregulated utilities.

“The beauty of Customer Watch comes from both its simplicity and its flexibility. It is simple to use, simple to install, and simple to support, while being technologically designed to support complex business drivers, both now and in the future,” Royal says.

Although specific details regarding many of the advanced features of Customer Watch are being kept firmly under wraps until the CIS Conference launch, Royal says he is confident that the product will appeal to a broad range of customers, with specific benefits for mid-sized utilities, municipalities and cooperatives.

The executive team at Conversant consists of:

M. Stan Royal, Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Royal was the Western Regional Vice President for Peace Software prior to forming Conversant, Inc., in January of 2002. For 34 years, he has provided information management solutions to customers within the utility industry. Mr. Royal was a senior executive consultant with IBM Global Services and a partner within Price Waterhouse’s Specialty Utility Practice. He also was the Chief Executive Officer of software companies Alterra Systems and ACTRON Information Systems, Royal has obtained a wealth of expertise in identifying and promoting information management solutions specific to the energy and utility industries.

Ron Yust, Vice President, Technology – Mr. Yust heads the Software Development Center for Conversant, Inc. and is responsible for leading customer integration and implementation efforts and providing ongoing customer support. He is the architect and designer of the core technology used by Customer Watch and is responsible for championing the technological innovations that will drive future product introductions and innovations. His history within the utility industry includes 23 years in Information Technology, most recently as the Director of Information Systems for Empire District Electric.

Brandon V. Brown, Vice President, Sales - Mr. Brown is responsible for directing consulting and sales efforts from Conversant’s Dallas-based Sales and Marketing Center. His expertise in strategic business analysis and information systems was honed while working as a senior consultant to Fortune 500 companies at Coopers & Lybrand and Ernst & Young. He has held executive sales positions with Motive Communications, Inc., and Optum, Inc. Mr. Brown is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has a number of programming certifications.

Linda A. Rowlett, Director, Application Consulting – With 36 years experience in the utility and CIS software development industries for companies including Allegheny Power, Control Data, Inc., Price Waterhouse, and Severn Trent Systems, Ms. Rowlett has provided strategic business solutions, training and project management services to a wide range of customers. Her extensive knowledge of the factors that are impacting the ever-changing utility industry, and the trends shaping CIS system applications, make her an invaluable part of the Conversant, Inc. team.

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