CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2004--Major producers to highlight progress in defining, developing and deploying next generation supply chain and manufacturing solutions in collaboration with AspenTech and its partners

Aspen Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AZPN) today announced that a group comprising 13 major chemical and petroleum producers will be hosting a session at the AspenWorld 2004 conference, October 10-15, 2004, in Orlando, Florida. The Foundation Client Program (FCP) group, established through relationships with AspenTech and its partners, will be highlighting its progress in defining, developing and deploying the next generation of supply chain and manufacturing solutions.

The FCP group has been directly providing strategic product and industry direction to AspenTech's solutions for the past two years. Input from the group has already helped to validate a number of important product development decisions, including the move to align the company's solutions with the ISA S95 standard. As long-term AspenTech customers, the FCP members have also played a key role in developing the company's Enterprise Operations Management (EOM) strategy, and in defining the Aspen Operations Manager product that provides the platform for AspenTech's solutions for the EOM market.

During the FCP session at AspenWorld, speakers from leading member companies will present an overview of the FCP program, and will describe its achievements in identifying solutions for the common critical operational issues facing the chemical and petroleum sectors. The session will also include presentations by selected FCP members who have already deployed solutions as part of the program, and who will describe details of the implementations and the operational benefits they have realized.

"The concept of the FCP group is to bring operating companies together with solutions leaders to define the next-generation business processes and software solutions to improve operations," said Dan Rozinski of Rohm & Haas, team leader of the FCP Chemical Workgroup. "The program is giving all the member companies an opportunity to realize a solution to the complex problems that everybody in the industry has been struggling with."

Other speakers during the session include founding FCP board members Eric Cosman of Dow Chemical, Sal Grasso of DuPont, Mike Knight of BP Oil International, and Jim Veale of NOVA Chemicals. They join representatives from a wide range of leading process companies who will be contributing to an AspenWorld 2004 (www.aspenworld2004.com) program which includes nearly 300 presentations on key industry and technology issues.

"The FCP initiative is playing a critical role in shaping the direction and development of innovative new solutions for the chemical and petroleum industries that will enable significant competitive advantage and improve bottom line results," said Steve Pringle, Senior Vice President of AspenTech. "The AspenWorld 2004 conference represents a significant opportunity for the FCP group to highlight their achievements and to encourage other process manufacturers to make a contribution to this strategic program."

About AspenTech

Aspen Technology, Inc. provides industry-leading software and implementation services that enable process companies to increase efficiency and profitability. AspenTech's engineering product line is used to design and improve plants and processes, maximizing returns throughout an asset's operating life. Its manufacturing/supply chain product line allows companies to increase margins in their plants and supply chains, by managing customer demand, optimizing production, and streamlining the delivery of finished products. These two offerings are combined to create solutions for enterprise operations management (EOM), integrated enterprise-wide systems that provide process manufacturers with the capability to dramatically improve their operating performance. Over 1,500 leading companies already rely on AspenTech's software, including Aventis, Bayer, BASF, BP, ChevronTexaco, Dow Chemical, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Fluor, GlaxoSmithKline, Shell, and Total. For more information, visit www.aspentech.com.

AspenTech and the aspen leaf logo are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

CONTACT:
For Media:
Aspen Technology, Inc.
Robin Swanger, 281-504 3256
robin.swanger@aspentech.com

For Investors:
Aspen Technology, Inc.
Joshua Young, 617-949-1274
joshua.young@aspentech.com