The WebEx Connect Platform Extends the Reach of All Software with New On-Demand Composite Collaborative Applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif., September 26, 2006—WebEx (Nasdaq: WEBX), the leading provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications for collaborative business on the web, today announced WebEx Connect, the first platform that allows existing software to be integrated with on-demand collaboration and business applications. WebEx Connect will enable a new class of composite on-demand applications that accelerate cross-company business by supporting knowledge workers with collaboration, business process integration, and ubiquitous data access. Through this new platform, existing software solutions will be extended and a new breed of cross-business “Micro-SaaS” applications will emerge.

WebEx Connect will deliver powerful, customized and contextually rich development services, which:

Support application developers with a comprehensive set of On-Demand software services including anytime collaboration services, workflow integration services and cross-company data access services.
Provide and support the development of ‘connectors’ to allow new and existing applications to attach to the WebEx Connect Grid
Grant developers access to popular WebEx applications, including the recently released WebEx AIM-Pro Business Edition instant messaging service, and applications on the WebEx Connect Grid through the WebEx Connect workspace.
Allow developers access to the WebEx customer base of over 25,000 companies, nearly 2 million registered users, and 3.5 million people who use WebEx services every month.
Assist partners with the provisioning and marketing of on-demand applications

“By creating tight, two-way integration between multiple applications, WebEx Connect composite applications are the business equivalent of consumer mashups,” said Roopam Jain, principle analyst for conferencing and collaboration at Frost and Sullivan. “By merging business processes and data from several sources with WebEx collaborative applications, WebEx is eliminating the need to rewrite traditional software simply for the sake of being ‘on-demand’.”

“In this high velocity flattening world, the battle for productivity will be fought at the keyboards and touchpads of knowledge workers collaborating across geographical and company boundaries,” said Subrah Iyar, chairman and CEO, WebEx. “WebEx Connect presents software developers a unique opportunity to tap into this rapidly developing trend and expanding market.”

The WebEx Connect Platform is comprised of the WebEx Connect grid and the WebEx Connect workspace, running on the WebEx MediaTone network. Unlike other platforms that mandate data migration to a proprietary source, WebEx Connect does not discriminate the targets or sources of data, nor require that all applications are “on-demand.” The specific components of the platform were announced today in a separate release.

“To thrive in the new on-demand economy, knowledge workers need the collaborative capabilities, applications, and information that allows work teams to be effective,” said Zach Nelson, CEO, NetSuite. “WebEx Connect provides these critical functions and will give on-demand applications, such as NetSuite, access to the 2 million WebEx users around the world.”

“Business Objects sees the launch of WebEx Connect as an excellent opportunity to take part in creating an online community that links people across the entire business ecosystem,” said Steve Lucas, vice president of strategic markets at Business Objects. “Individuals can use WebEx Connect to build “mashups” by stitching together and customizing the business applications they need. By contributing the industry’s leading business intelligence solutions, Business Objects is giving information workers an easy way to access and use critical data in the familiar environment of today’s Web 2.0 applications.”

The basic WebEx Connect client will be free of charge, and many of the building blocks are in use by select partners today. Details of WebEx Connect, including partner applications and WebEx Connect workspace clients, will be available beginning in Q4 2006. To learn more about becoming a WebEx Connect partner, visit, http://web.archive.org/web/20070102021853/http://webex.com/go/connectpartners

About WebEx Communications
WebEx Communications, Inc., is the global leader in software-as-a-service applications for collaborative business on the web. These software-as-a-service applications enhance high-touch business processes, such as sales and training, with efficient web-touch interactions. All WebEx applications are built on the WebEx MediaTone Network, a network specifically designed for delivery of on-demand applications for business-to-business collaboration. WebEx is based in Santa Clara, California and has regional headquarters in Europe, Asia and Australia. Please call toll free 877-509-3239 or visit http://web.archive.org/web/20070102021853/http://www.webex.com/ for more information.