(May 31, 2002) - webMethods, Inc, the leading provider of integration software, has appointed Andrew Astor to the position of vice president, Enterprise Web Services. Astor will spearhead the continued development of webMethods‚ Enterprise Web Services strategy, determining marketplace needs, defining product positioning, gathering technical requirements, building relationships with customers and partners, and evangelizing the value Web services can bring to an organization.

Astor brings to webMethods vast knowledge with respect to not only the software industry, but also with the unique perspective of having worked with webMethods as both a customer and systems integrator partner.

Prior to joining webMethods, Astor served as Dunn & Bradstreet's vice president for Web and Customer Access Systems, where he led the development and launch of Global Access. Global Access is a Web services-based product that embeds D&B information directly into customer business processes using the webMethods integration platform. One of the few commercial Web services initiatives in production today, Global Access has been recognized by Gartner, Microsoft and Web Services Journal as a leading example of Web services technology.

"Andy is a pioneer in the world of Web services," said Jim Green, CTO and executive vice president of product development of webMethods, Inc. "We're thrilled to be able to tap into his wealth of industry experience coupled with his first-hand knowledge of implementing Web services. He will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build out and execute on our vision of providing the most comprehensive and reliable platform for Enterprise Web Services."

With a career spanning more than 20 years, Astor has worked in a variety of industries, including software products, financial services and the public sector. Previously he was a member of the executive team for the Insurance Technology Practice at American Management Systems, Inc. (AMS) and also served as the vice president of services for Magna Software. In addition, Astor has held positions with several leading systems integrators, including Ernst & Young and SHL Systemhouse.

Astor received his BA in mathematics from Clark University, where he graduated cum laude, and his MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of Web Services Journal's International Advisory Panel, and is IT Strategy Track Chair for SYS-CON's Web Services Edge 2002 East.

More information about webMethods can be found at www.webMethods.com.