Press Release

Progress Software Appoints Notable Telecommunications Industry Expert, John Wilmes, as Chief Technical Architect of Communications SectorBEDFORD, Mass.– January 15, 2008 – Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS), a global supplier of application infrastructure software used to develop, deploy, integrate and manage business applications, today announced the appointment of recognized telecommunications industry expert, John Wilmes, as Chief Technical Architect, Communications Sector.  Wilmes will focus on extending the leadership position of the Progress® DataXtend® Semantic Integrator (SI) product within the telecommunications industry through technical evangelization and identification of standards-related opportunities. Progress DataXtend SI enables the use of a common semantic data model to help facilitate sophisticated data transformations, allowing organizations to integrate heterogeneous data sources in an SOA, reducing the cost and time required to integrate OSS/BSS applications by 50% or more.

Wilmes is a well-known, 20-year veteran in the telecommunications field and 2007/2008 Co-Chair of the Shared Information/Data model (SID) team in the TM Forum (TMF). He will interface with DataXtend SI customers and serve as a vital resource in establishing industry standards through his professional work and leadership in various standards groups such as the OSS/J Pricing API Expert Group and the OSS/J Order Management Expert Group.  Next month, he will facilitate a workshop on the challenges of data integration in SOA at the Transforming OSS in the New Services Environment Summit, February 5-7, in Dallas Texas.

“John’s impressive body of work in both software development and operations will play a key role in developing the DataXtend product line and expanding our market opportunities,” said Ken Rugg, General Manager, DataXtend, Progress Software. “John’s acceptance of the role at Progress is recognition of our continuing commitment to, and investment in, both standards and telecommunications. We’re confident he will be an exciting partner for our development teams and a great addition to our senior leadership team.”

“I’ve experienced first hand the critical semantic integration functionality that DataXtend delivers  as well as the commitment of Progress’ people in applying DataXtend to help solve some of the industry’s most pressing and significant challenges such as reducing OPEX and order-to-cash time,” said John Wilmes, Chief Technical Architect, Communications Sector, Progress Software. “Joining Progress gives me the opportunity to continue to work toward change through standards, while also applying my work in a very practical way.”

Prior to joining Progress, Wilmes served as CTO of Ceon Corporation where he oversaw the direction and design of next-generation product lifecycle management solutions.

About Progress Software Corporation

Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS) provides application infrastructure software for the development, deployment, integration and management of business applications. Our goal is to maximize the benefits of information technology while minimizing its complexity and total cost of ownership. Progress can be reached at www.progress.com or +1-781-280-4000.

Progress and DataXtend are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.  Any other trademarks or services marks used herein are the property of their respective owners.