Partnership Combines Fulcrum's Leadership In Robust Search Software
      With MetaConcepts' Leadership In Java-Based Business And Publishing
                             Solutions For The Web

    OTTAWA, Canada and SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Mar. 12 /PRNewswire/ - Fulcrum
Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: FULCF; TSE: FUL) and MetaConcepts today announced a
partnership to deliver applications based on the integration of
MetaConcepts(TM) SearchCafe(TM) product with Fulcrum(R) SearchServer(TM). The
partnership encompasses a cross-licensing agreement between the companies, and
marketing and technical collaboration to deliver solutions to mutual
customers.
    MetaConcepts is a leader in the development of Java-based
information-retrieval applications.  SearchCafe is the first Java server to
implement a three-tier architecture to support distributed searching across
heterogeneous platforms.  Using the Fulcrum SearchBuilder(TM) for Java
toolkit, also announced today, MetaConcepts will be able to integrate
SearchCafe and SearchServer to deliver solutions that access Fulcrum's
industry-leading search engine for robust line-of-business applications.
Customers will also be able to work with products from both companies to build
their own applications.
    ``Many of our customers have a requirement for the robust search
functionality that we will deliver through the integration with Fulcrum,''
said Patricia Soto, president and CEO of MetaConcepts.  ``Fulcrum's leadership
position in delivering search software for large-scale business applications
complements our strength in delivering solutions that leverage our expertise
in Java development.  Fulcrum's SearchBuilder toolkit for Java will greatly
simplify the task of integrating our technologies, and it will allow us to
offer extensible solutions.''
    ``MetaConcepts has established a leadership position in providing
Java-based information-retrieval solutions,''  said Peter Klante, vice
president of marketing at Fulcrum.  ``This partnership strengthens our ability
to deliver robust Web solutions, and will allow customers to deploy Fulcrum
applications quickly in a Java environment.''
    The integration of SearchCafe and SearchServer will deliver advanced Java
solutions to create powerful Intranet applications that can push targeted
information out to the Internet.  The integration will leverage: full system
administration tools; security; distributed searching across multiple servers;
high-fidelity ActiveX-based document viewing of over 80 common office formats,
including PDF; dynamic conversion of document formats to HTML; and all of
Fulcrum's advanced search functionality.
    MetaConcepts' SearchCafe is a suite of Java applications that allow
corporations to turn their Intranets into powerful, effective, information
management systems.  With SearchCafe's three-tiered distributed architecture
organizations can disseminate, secure and retrieve information quickly and
effectively in a multi-platform environment.  SearchCafe is a network-aware
solution that leverages the power of Java and search technologies for the
enterprise.
    Fulcrum SearchBuilder for Java is based on the JDBC standard to allow
developers to build advanced, fully customized Web-based applications that
leverage the strengths of Java and Fulcrum's proven information-retrieval
software.  With Fulcrum SearchBuilder for Java developers can build Fulcrum
applications in Windows-based or UNIX development environments. These
applications are inherently portable across server platforms.
    MetaConcepts is a privately-held company headquartered in San Francisco,
California.  Founded in 1992, MetaConcepts is a leader in providing effective,
scaleable, information-retrieval solutions to Fortune 500 companies. These
solutions are being used daily by thousands of users world-wide. For more
information on MetaConcepts products and services, visit the MetaConcepts
website: http://www.metaconcepts.com.
    For 14 years, Fulcrum Technologies Inc. has led the way in building
innovative and effective knowledge management solutions for some of the
world's most important companies.  Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Fulcrum
extends its global reach with offices throughout the United States, Europe,
and in Australia and Japan, and through a network of partners worldwide.
Fulcrum is publicly traded on the Nasdaq National Market (``FULCF'') and on
the Toronto Stock Exchange (``FUL'').  For more information on Fulcrum and
Fulcrum products, visit Fulcrum's Web site: http://www.fulcrum.com.
    Fulcrum is a registered trademark of Fulcrum Technologies Inc. and
SearchServer and SearchBuilder are trademarks of Fulcrum.  MetaConcepts and
SearchCafe are trademarks of MetaConcepts.  Other trademarks used throughout
this document are trademarks of their respective owners.

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