Apriso and Hewlett-Packard Japan (HP) Form Regional Partnership to Support Expansion into Japanese Manufacturing Market

Hewlett-Packard (HP) will initially deploy Apriso’s FlexNet system at Japanese clients to support global supply chain visibility, quality execution and production performance improvement initiatives

(LONG BEACH, CA and TOKYO – January 22, 2008) – Apriso Corporation, a provider of adaptive software solutions for global manufacturers, today announced through its Japanese subsidiary that Hewlett-Packard Japan (HP) is now a Consulting Partner, becoming a member of its team of global partners and systems integrators.  HP’s wealth of experience in deploying business technology optimization solutions will be an asset to Apriso’s clients, helping make certain IT is in full alignment with business objectives, ensuring IT investments deliver maximum value.

Initially, the HP partnership will focus on addressing the growing momentum now underway within the Japanese manufacturing market, as evidenced by increasing demand for the Apriso FlexNet® solution for manufacturing operations execution.  By focusing on addressing supply chain visibility and optimization initiatives, the Japanese market has expanded for Apriso, with new demand for integration between shop floor processes and enterprise-wide systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) applications.

The benefits for such a widely integrated operations execution system are numerous, including improved responsiveness to changing market, supply chain and customer demand conditions.  Globalization, off shoring and other cost pressures are creating considerable strain on manufacturers aiming to remain competitive and expand market share.  An operations execution system designed for global, multi-site deployment that seamlessly integrates production, warehouse, the supply chain, quality and maintenance processes can best amplify cost savings and process improvements.  Single, stand alone systems, such as a Manufacturing Execution System, or MES, only addresses part of the problem, so is thereby not enough to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

“Partnering with Apriso is a logical extension of our recently announced business technology solution aimed at improving the alignment of IT with business objectives.  We are impressed with the real-time visibility afforded by the Apriso FlexNet system, and how easy it is to use by non-IT personnel,” commented Hiroyuki Kitagawa, director principal manufacturing practice consulting & integration, Hewlett Packard Japan.  “We look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with Apriso, and exploring other growth initiatives in the months that follow.”

The combined HP and Apriso solution is designed to deliver an IT system based on business processes, rather than hard coded programming that is difficult and costly to modify, as demand or supply conditions change.  The Apriso FlexNet platform performs as an enabler, empowering line operators, plant and the corporate management team to clearly understand which production, supply chain and quality execution processes are improving operations performance and those where improvements could be achieved.  And, this solution was designed from the ground up to support multi-location deployments, making it easy to upgrade processes from one location to another, regardless of geographic location, time zone or native language.

“With the growth in activity, scope and deployments of the Apriso FlexNet solution, it is a welcome addition to now count HP as a partner, to meet the demand we are now experiencing for an operations execution system capable of supporting diverse manufacturing environments,” offered Gerry Fosnick, general manager, Japan for Apriso.  “Our corporate philosophies are in alignment to improve business processes cost effectively, empowering our customers to modify their own business processes in real-time, as often as needed, without having to deploy wasted resources to perform application re-coding.”

About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses.  With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $100.5 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2007. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

About Apriso
Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers.  It does so by enabling manufacturing organizations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events.  Apriso FlexNet applications provide visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network.  Apriso leads the industry in multi-site, globally integrated Operations Execution Systems.  Many of Apriso’s customers have chosen to integrate planning, execution and control to increase operational efficiency and eliminate errors in their production process.  Apriso serves more than 160 customers in 40 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, powering more than 600 installations worldwide.  A partial listing of customers includes General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, Microsoft, L'Oreal, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Rubbermaid, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor.  Learn more at www.apriso.com.

This news advisory contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2007 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2006.  HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Apriso and FlexNet are registered trademarks of Apriso Corporation.  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.  The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.