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SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) today announced that it has successfully transacted a RosettaNet Partner Interface Process(TM) (PIP(TM)) with its first foundry partner, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. TSMC is the first foundry partner to implement a PIP with National using RosettaNet standards.

For National, this marks the successful completion of the RosettaNet Semiconductor Manufacturing Board members' goal of having one PIP in production with one supply partner by July 7, 2001. RosettaNet, high technology's leading standards organization, comprises more than 400 companies representing over $1 trillion in annual revenues. The consortium helps align business processes across the global trading network through the development of standards and related implementations activities. The result for companies like National is improved supply chain visibility and automation that allows the company to augment planning processes and enhance responsiveness to change.

``Being able to conduct business quickly and efficiently is critical, and our ability to interconnect business processes and information via RosettaNet standards will enable National to take process, manufacturing and distribution integration to the next level,'' said Ulrich Seif, senior vice president and chief information officer for National Semiconductor.

``TSMC and National Semiconductor are both founding members of RosettaNet Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) Board,'' said Dr. Quincy Lin, senior vice president and CIO, TSMC, and vice chairman, RosettaNet Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) Board. ``We are pleased to be National Semiconductor's partner in validating and launching into production RosettaNet's 3D8 Work in Process (WIP) PIP standard. The achievement of this production milestone highlights the applicability and robustness of RosettaNet standards and further demonstrates the exemplary talent and commitment of both teams involved. We look forward to a close partnership with National Semiconductor as we embrace future RosettaNet initiatives.''

A PIP is a set of standardized instructions that enable supply chain partners to automate information exchange over the Internet. Using PIPs, companies can automate exchange of product status information, updates on projected delivery dates, and receive Advance Shipping Notices (ASN's). National selected the Distribute Manufacturing WIP Status (PIP 3D8) standard for its implementation with TSMC.

The goal set forth by the Semiconductor Manufacturing Board earlier this year was extremely aggressive,`` said Tim Lavelle, RosettaNet executive director. ''We applaud National and TSMC for taking on this challenge and achieving the 7.7.01 milestone. Their collective success is a win for the RosettaNet community as well as the entire industry.``

In October 2000, National announced it had transacted its first PIP with two RosettaNet trading partners, Pioneer-Standard Electronics and Arrow Electronics, Inc., who both serve as distribution partners for National Semiconductor. Today's announcement is the first PIP transacted with a manufacturing partner.

National selected webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM) to build the underlying software infrastructure for seamlessly integrating major buyers and suppliers to form real-time trading networks. webMethods, the leading supplier of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, provides broad support for open standards and protocols such as RosettaNet.

About RosettaNet

RosettaNet is an independent non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network. A complete list of partner companies and more information on RosettaNet can be found at www.rosettanet.org.

About TSMC

TSMC is the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, providing the industry's leading process technology, library and IP options and other leading-edge foundry services. Fabrication processes offered by TSMC include CMOS logic, mixed-mode, volatile and non-volatile memory, and BiCMOS. TSMC's corporate headquarters are in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan. More information about TSMC is available through the World Wide Web at http://www.tsmc.com.

About webMethods

webMethods, Inc. is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). Leveraging the open standards of the Internet, the award-winning webMethods B2B family of products provides the B2Bi infrastructure that enables Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces to connect customers, suppliers and partners to form real-time B2B trading networks. webMethods B2B allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers and substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies. Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S. and Europe. www.webmethods.com.

About National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2001 and employs about 9,700 people worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

NOTE: National Semiconductor is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other product or brand names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.