Sterling Commerce Executive Recognized for Supply Chain Leadership in Helping Retailers Weather the Economy

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - March 24, 2009) - Sterling Commerce, an AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) company, today announced that Jim Bengier, the company's Global Industry Executive, Retail, has been named a Provider Pro to Know by Supply & Demand Chain Executive for the second consecutive year. The annual award recognizes industry leaders who are helping companies weather the current economic turmoil. Mr. Bengier was recognized for helping retailers transform and optimize their supply chain operations.

"This year's Provider Pros to Know have shown themselves to be thought-leaders in their respective supply chain segments. Their efforts in developing the tools and processes that enable companies to weather risky economic conditions and place them in a position to surge ahead in better times have earned them a place on this year's Provider Pros listing," said Andrew Reese, editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive. "Jim Bengier has leveraged his extensive supply chain background to lead the industry in embracing cross-channel execution and supplier empowerment to manage through the current downturn."

In 2008, Bengier spearheaded the creation of the Cross-Channel Retailing Consortium. Cross-channel retailing integrates and optimizes the selling and fulfillment processes to improve the customer experience and reduce costs. Jim Bengier also was instrumental in the introduction of two new Sterling Commerce products -- Sterling Integrator for Retailers and Sterling e-Invoicing -- designed to help companies get more out of the power of their community. Sterling Integrator enables retailers to expand connectivity to suppliers, carriers, and other supply chain intermediaries to proactively identify and recover from supply chain disruptions in real time. Sterling e-Invoicing enables multi-national manufacturers and retailers to automate their electronic invoicing process worldwide while maintaining conformity with different country-specific tax regulations.

"At Sterling Commerce, we are committed to providing world class solutions to help companies compete more effectively by connecting, communicating and collaborating with their customers, suppliers and partners," said Ken Ramoutar, vice president, Global Product and Industry Marketing, at Sterling Commerce. "We're proud to see Jim Bengier receive this recognition. He's an industry veteran whose experience managing through tough times like this is critical in helping retailers transform their businesses while leveraging what they have."

Bengier has over 25 years of experience within the apparel, footwear, and electronics categories. He has spoken at Retail Executive Summits and participated in National Retail Federation round table sessions. Bengier has been involved in every aspect of the supply chain, with specific expertise in forecasting, location management, developing inventory improvement metrics and processes, business optimization strategies, and merchandise system implementations. He also is a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, NRF International Trade Advisory Committee Policy Council and Strategic Supply Chain Council, and the Supply Chain and Logistics Forum.

Sterling Commerce helps retailers elevate the customer experience by managing and executing cross-channel experience accurately, securely, and more efficiently than their competitors, and delivering fully integrated and managed supply communities. Only Sterling Commerce brings together the power of community, internal and external integration, and cross-channel applications necessary to effectively address the visibility and management gaps on the supply-facing side of a company's business.

The full listing of the 2009 Pros to Know is available in the February/March 2009 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine and on the Supply & Demand Chain Executive Web site at www.SDCExec.com.

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 use Sterling Commerce solutions for business process integration, multi-channel selling, and supply chain fulfillment, and payments management to optimize business performance inside and outside their enterprise. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Sterling Commerce has offices in 24 countries around the world. More information can be found at www.sterlingcommerce.com