Campbell, CA - October 4, 2000 - Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP) beefed up its presence in three technical markets today through a sponsorship agreement with IBSystems. The agreement covers three of IBSystems' industry-focused web portals - www.EDAToolsCAfe.com, www.GISCafe.com, and www.MCADCafe.com - and will allow HP to target its message to IC, System, PCB designers, and GIS and Mechanical Engineering professionals, respectively.

Through this agreement, HP as the underlying sponsor of each portal will reinforce its visibility with key professionals who make their company's hardware and software buying decisions. The three portals are each ranked #1 in terms of traffic in their respective industries -- with close to one-million page views and more than 150,000 unique visitors each month -- and the lead over their competitors is widening. The portals also reach out to more than 50,000 professionals each day with the latest industry news, which now has the HP logo and messaging.

Rich Flaherty, HP's Americas Technical Marketing Manager said, "I am excited about establishing a working relationship with IBSystems - who have rapidly become a highly visible provider of B2B content and services. They have achieved this by focusing on the three fastest growing High-Tech sectors -- EDA, MCAD and GIS -- and through our portal sponsorship agreement, we will gain targeted access to these important audiences." David Heller, IBSystems' President and CEO said, "Working with Hewlett-Packard opens new and exciting possibilities for our company. We will meet their objectives and expand their reach into these technical markets while also giving HP's allies, the Intels and Microsofts of the world, a way to reinforce their presence in these dynamic market places."

About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that's always on.
HP has 86,000 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

About IBSystems
IBSystems is a leading provider of web portals targeted at professional audiences. Its EDAToolsCafé.com, MCADCafé.com, GISCafé.com, AECCafé.com and ePOWERCafé.com web portals bring valuable resources and timely information to professionals in the EDA, Mechanical Computer Aided Design (MCAD), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Architectural Engineering, and Power industries. IBSystems is building and launching additional industry-focused vertical portals on an on-going basis.

IBSystems - http://www.ibsystems.com
Sanjay Gangal
VP Marketing
408-260-8010
Marketing@IBSystems.com