Newark Electronics selects Actiant Commerce Platform for global e-procurement and marketplace connectivity   TARRYTOWN, New York, September 17, 2001 - Actiant, Inc. (www.Actiant.com), provider of full-cycle electronic transaction solutions for manufacturers and distributors, announced today that Newark Electronics, one of North America's largest electronic components distributors, has selected the Actiant Commerce Platform-Enterprise Level Solution to service the e-procurement needs of its global customers.   By adopting the Actiant Commerce Platform, Newark can accelerate its global customer initiatives with immediate and seamless "PunchOut/RoundTrip" connectivity to leading procurement and marketplace platforms including AribaŽ, CommerceOneŽ and SAPMarkets. The Actiant Commerce Platform provides Newark with a centralized electronic transaction and order management system that streamlines the interface, data exchange, and transaction flow with disparate purchasing systems while leveraging Newark's investments in backoffice and catalog content management technology.   "To compete in the new global economy, businesses must adopt an extended enterprise solution that allows them to efficiently manage transactions and other information between their systems and those of their trading partners," said Manuel Ron, CEO of Actiant. "By selecting Actiant's Enterprise Level Solution, Newark is ideally positioned to establish intimate electronic relationships and secure 'preferred supplier' status with their customers worldwide."   "Our customers are aggressively adopting electronic purchasing. Selecting the Actiant Commerce Platform provides Newark the ability to proactively respond to this demand," said Dianne Ahrens, director of business development and Internet partnerships, Newark Electronics. "Actiant's modular approach enables Newark to scale its e-business initiatives at a pace that meets our customers' needs."   Newark Electronics and Actiant have enjoyed a successful relationship since 1998 during which a series of incremental modular e-commerce initiatives have been deployed. "Newark has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to provide customers with best of breed tailored e-business services and solutions. The decision to implement Actiant's flagship Enterprise Level Solution takes that commitment to a mass scale while keeping an eye on the bottom line," said Ron.   About Actiant Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Tarrytown, NY, Actiant is a leading provider of e-business products and services specifically designed to bring extended enterprise, electronic order and electronic transaction capabilities within reach of business-to-business suppliers and their trading partners. The Actiant solution suite and proven transition methodology has enabled over 150 industry leading suppliers to meet the electronic purchasing demands of their customers at their own pace and in a cost-effective manner. For more information, call Actiant at 1-866-ACTIANT (1-866-228-4268) or visit our Web site at: www.actiant.com