Now Shipping XMetaL 2.0, upgrade to award-winning XML content creation solution

New York, NY - DevCon - June 26, 2000 - SoftQuad Software, Ltd. (OTC BB: SXML), the internationally-recognized developer of XML-enabling technologies and commerce solutions for e-business, today announced they are now shipping XMetaL 2.0, a major upgrade to XMetaL, the premier enabling technology for XML-based content applications in e-publishing, e-commerce and knowledge management.

"XMetaL 2.0 takes XML content creation to an even higher level, while maintaining its easy-to-use interface, with enhanced editing features, support for even more advanced XML constructs and new customization and integration options," said Roberto Drassinower, president and CEO of SoftQuad Software, Ltd.

"We're at the centre of XML content, developing an even more powerful XML content creation solution that is driving Web-based publishing, knowledge management and e-commerce into the future." The new version of XMetaL makes it easier to create XML content, and provides integrators greater flexibility in deploying effective content solutions for real world production environments.

"USAToday.com required a solution to manage the content of our online news Web site, including workflow difficulties and multiple approval problems - all requiring a lot of manual intervention," said Robert Shelton, manager of software development, USAToday.com.

"SoftQuad quickly responded to the problem by recommending XMetaL, their content creation solution. XMetaL allowed our e-publishing processes to be automated and it changed our online publication from a static HTML environment to an active and dynamic XML one."

Key features to this upgrade include well formed editing, a new Structure view, support for more advanced XML constructs and expanded customization options.

XMetaL 2.0 also includes a fully functional trial version of Extensibility's XML Authority(tm), the leading schema design and management solution. The integration of these two products will create a comprehensive solution for Web enabled content interchange, manipulation and presentation for enterprises implementing XML-based initiatives.

"XMetaL 2.0 is a first class XML content authoring solution," said Reid Conrad, president and CEO, Extensibility, Inc. "We're happy to work with SoftQuad to provide customers with the next generation of powerful, yet easy-to-deploy solutions for developing and managing XML-based content and rules for a wide variety of e-business applications."

On May 2, 2000 SoftQuad announced a partnership with Vignette to provide e-businesses with a comprehensive platform for implementing and deploying XML-based content solutions to e-businesses.

"The extensibility and versatility of XML is essential to the exchange of information in any Web business," said Bill Daniel, senior vice president, products, Vignette Corporation. "XMetaL is an excellent tool for creating XML content because of this power, and it provides greater flexibility in capturing and distributing e-commerce content both within an organization and throughout a partner network."

XMetaL has been accepted as the premier enabler for XML content applications by some of the world's leading companies, such as Daimler Chrysler, Deutsche Bank, British Aerospace, Qantas, Boeing, Lucent Technologies, British Telecom, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Northern Telecom, Oracle, IBM, Ericsson and Continental Airlines.

SoftQuad also recently announced the launch of the XMetaL Quick Start Program, which allows companies to easily prototype, pilot or deploy an XMetaL content creation solution for XML-based e-publishing, e-commerce or knowledge management applications. The Quick Start Program provides an accessible XML entry point for companies of all sizes. To date, companies such as Hewlett-Packard and BC Gas have chosen SoftQuad's XMetaL Quick Start Program to help them prototype XML-based content solutions using XMetaL.

Pricing and Availability

XMetaL 2.0 is available now in the U.S., Canada and Europe for $495.00 (US) per single-user license. The product is sold directly and through VARs and OEMs. Volume discounts, site licenses, partner programs and on-site training are all available. The XMetaL Quick Start Program is available now directly through SoftQuad for $10,000 (US).

About XMetaL

SoftQuad XMetaL 2.0, the premier enabler for XML-based content applications, provides the power and flexibility required to create and work with XML content in a real-world production environment. Combining state-of-the-art XML editing features and the ideal front-end to e-commerce, e-publishing and knowledge management applications, XMetaL 2.0 makes it easy for an entire organization's user-base to create content.

About SoftQuad Software, Ltd.

SoftQuad Software, Ltd. (OTC BB: SXML) is an internationally recognized developer of XML enabling technologies and commerce solutions for e-business. A founding member of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) and XML.org, SoftQuad has been instrumental in shaping and developing both the standards and technologies that are changing the way companies exchange information and do business over the Web.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with European operations based in London, SoftQuad was first to market with an advanced, yet easy-to-use, XML content creation solution, XMetaL. It has already become the premier enabling technology for XML-based content applications in electronic publishing, e-commerce and knowledge management.

For more information, visit SoftQuad's Web site at http://www.softquad.com