Deloitte and Sterling Commerce Enter Strategic Alliance to Help Companies Transform Their Cross-Channel Selling and Fulfillment Processes

COLUMBUS, OH and NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - October 8, 2008) - Deloitte and Sterling Commerce, an AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) company, today announced a strategic alliance agreement. Under this alliance agreement, Sterling Commerce software solutions and Deloitte's advisory and implementation related services have been brought together in a market offering designed to help companies in their effort to improve their multichannel eCommerce selling and fulfillment processes.

"Virtually all retailers are in a race to improve the profitability of their ecommerce channel along with their traditional brick-and-mortar stores and, in some cases, their catalogue operations," said Dave Gully, principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP and Deloitte's Sterling Commerce alliance leader. "We also believe that retailers who are committed to growing multichannel capabilities could have the potential to realize better and more profitable customer relationships than those developing channels independently."

Working together, Deloitte and Sterling Commerce can offer retailers, direct-to-consumer manufacturers and other multichannel companies a combination of products and services to help them address specific business problems. Deloitte provides process, strategy and technology-related consulting capabilities, focused on key industries and has access to audit, tax and financial advisory services capabilities, as well. Deloitte combines its industry experience, broad capabilities and deep alliances to help companies transform the way they do business around the commerce lifecycle with their customers, alliances and suppliers.

Sterling Commerce products include Sterling Selling and Fulfillment Suite and Sterling Commerce integration solutions for managed file transfer and business-to-business (B2B) connectivity and collaboration.

"Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and deep local experience, knowledge and skills to help clients in their efforts to succeed wherever they operate," said Joel Reed, senior vice president, Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances, at Sterling Commerce. "The synergies between Deloitte and Sterling Commerce build on a strong track record of success in helping companies through transformational processes."

About Sterling Commerce

Sterling Commerce, an AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) company, helps customers thrive in a global economy by connecting their business communities, processes, people, and technology. More than 30,000 customers worldwide -- including 82 percent of the Fortune 500 -- use Sterling Commerce solutions for business process integration, multi-channel selling, and supply chain fulfillment to improve profitability inside and outside their company walls. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Sterling Commerce has offices in 19 countries and most major cities around the world. More information on the company can be found at www.sterlingcommerce.com.

About Deloitte

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP and Deloitte Services LP, separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.

Contact Information: Contact: John La Place Public Relations Deloitte +1 212 492 4267 Julie Redard Public Relations Sterling Commerce +1 978 513 6386