For Immediate Release: August 21, 2003
For More Information Contact:
Keith Severson, Marketing Services
Manager, 831.768.2063

SEATTLE - WTS, Inc., the first application service provider (ASP) partner for J.D. Edwards collaborative enterprise software, today announced that one of its customers, Graniterock, has been honored with an IT industry award that recognizes excellence in the management of business application software.

The prestigious ASPire Award was presented to Graniterock by CompTIA Software Services Groups (formerly the ASP Industry Consortium) during a recent ceremony. The ASPire Awards program highlights best practices in the application service provider industry by honoring the work of consortium members. The Graniterock entry was submitted by J.D. Edwards in the Management and Operations category. Graniterock, a California-based company specializing in mining and heavy construction, has its J.D. Edwards software hosted by WTS.

"The implementation of an outsourced solution has been a successful information technology strategy for our company," stated Graniterock CIO Steve Snodgrass. "By outsourcing our J.D. Edwards applications with WTS, Graniterock has been able to solve IT resource limitations, predict our annual costs of operations for these critical enterprise solutions, and provide a viable disaster recovery plan for the risks we face doing business near the San Andreas Fault."

In addition to the Management and Operations category, companies were invited to submit case studies under six headings that reflect the most-important ASP trends as determined by industry experts. The six categories for consideration in 2002 were: Delivery and Enablement for innovative service delivery modules that result in increased end-user productivity; Wireless for innovative use of wireless technology to make solutions more accessible and valuable to end-users; Integration for seamlessly integrated solutions that provide increased function and value for end-users; Management and Operations for well managed and supported services to assure users of high availability and reliability; a Service Satisfaction category for achieving outstanding customer satisfaction through the use of Service Level Agreements; and a Security category for creation and delivery of secure solutions that are well accepted by end-users.

"We are very pleased with this industry recognition of Graniterock and WTS," stated J.D. Edwards Global ASP Partner Manager Lori Gray. "The ASPire awards are recognized by the ASP industry as a symbol of a highly satisfied customer and the success of a hosting relationship based upon doing what is right for our customers. Graniterock is a leader in utilizing IT solutions to make its business stronger and is very deserving of this award."

CompTIA's Software Services Group was formed in May 1999 by 25 leading technology companies under the umbrella of the ASP Industry Consortium (ASPIC). These companies saw a common need for promoting greater understanding of the fast-emerging application service provider industry and for establishing guidelines for ASP business practices. Today, CompTIA's Software Services Group is the leading global advocacy group promoting the service provider community.

WTS is a J.D. Edwards MAS (Managed Application Solutions) partner and provides hosted solutions for J.D. Edwards 5, OneWorld®, WorldSoftwareT, and co-existence environments.

About WTS
WTS, the first application service provider (ASP) to host J.D. Edwards, focuses solely on hosting J.D. Edwards collaborative enterprise solutions and complementary products. WTS provides personalized systems for J.D. Edwards 5, OneWorld, WorldSoftware, and co-existence applications. Customers benefit from an industry-proven solution that increases efficiency, enables business and technology change, and reduces IT risk. Founded in 1997, WTS is a privately-held corporation, with headquarters in Seattle, Wash. Additional information about WTS is available at www.wts.com.

About Graniterock
Graniterock has been headquartered in Watsonville, California, since it’s founding in 1900. The company's employees work in branch locations in South San Francisco, Redwood City, San Jose, Salinas, Monterey, Oakland, Watsonville, Felton and Santa Cruz. Graniterock supplies construction materials including ready-mix concrete, hot mix asphalt, building materials, landscaping supplies, rock, sand and gravel. The Company's Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports, and private commercial and residential projects. Graniterock received the 1992 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the 1994 Governor's Golden State Quality Award. The Company has been one of the 100 Best Places to Work in America by Fortune Magazine for five years.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is a global trade association representing the business interests of the information technology industry. For more than 20 years CompTIA has provided research, networking, and partnering opportunities to its more than 15,000 members in 89 countries. The association is involved in developing standards and best practices, and influencing the political, economic, and educational arenas that impact IT worldwide. More information is at www.comptia.org.

About J.D. Edwards & Co.
J.D. Edwards (Nasdaq: JDEC), a PeopleSoft company, makes customers stronger, enabling them to solve their most important business challenges. The company designs, develops and markets collaborative enterprise software and consulting, education and support services. J.D. Edwards' offerings are differentiated by a deeply ingrained attitude of listening to customers, innovating on their behalf, and delivering solutions as part of a results-oriented relationship. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Denver, Colo., J.D. Edwards focuses on long-term business partnerships and helping its 6,700 customers in more than 110 countries manage their business processes, supply chains, enterprise assets, and supplier and customer relationships. For more information: www.jdedwards.com or 800.727.5333.