Trading Statement

Sopheon PLC
14 February 2002


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           14 February 2002



                                  SOPHEON PLC
                             EXPECTATIONS FOR 2001
                   DATE FOR PRELIMINARY RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

Sopheon plc ('Sopheon'), the international provider of software-based solutions
and services for knowledge intensive applications, announces today that
consolidated revenues for the year ended 31 December 2001 are expected to be in
excess of £13.5m (2000 : £7.8m). This announcement is made in connection with a
regulatory filing shortly to be issued for the Euronext Amsterdam, relating to
Sopheon's acquisition of Orbital Software Holdings plc which was completed in
November 2001.

2001 was a year both of significant challenges and of significant progress. The
general economic downturn has affected revenues within certain existing
accounts, as well as the development of new opportunities.  Sopheon's
announcement of 22 October 2001 noted disruption to trading with certain
Information Management customers. As ongoing uncertainty drives companies to
restructure their operations and supplier relationships, additional pressure is
expected on elements of such revenues in North America and Germany in 2002.
However, these market conditions also create opportunities for Information
Management services, exemplified by recent large-scale outsourcing contracts
signed with GE and Alticor, and implementation of a custom research portal and
new subscription contracts at another major consumer goods company. Packaged
offerings are also being developed in areas such as intellectual property
research, which have secured new sales in Germany.

Accolade, Sopheon's flagship software solution for new product development was
introduced in the second quarter and initial clients were developed in each of
the USA, the UK and the Netherlands, and most recently in Germany through our
Aventis relationship. While order volumes were limited in 2001, these initial
customers represent an active and supportive reference base on which to build.
The beta version of Accolade 3.0, with significantly increased functionality,
was released in December. Interest for Accolade continues to develop, attracting
analyst and media comment, proposal requests and pilot commitments which
underline the market opportunity and pipeline, but also reflect the more
cautious pace of today's purchasing behaviour.

The process of integrating the businesses acquired over the last two years
advanced rapidly in the final quarter of 2001. The organisation has been
restructured into two complementary operating divisions - Information Management
(IM) and Business Process Solutions (BPS).  Compared with reported interim
information, the annualised fixed cost base has been reduced by over 25% through
elimination of duplicated costs and a significant contraction of the workforce.
Against this backdrop of cost reductions, Sopheon exited 2001 with an expanded
product and technology offering, broader sales and distribution and deeper
product development resources. Supporting the promise of a stronger mix of high
margin software revenues, integration and consultancy teams have continued to
reduce involvement with bespoke assignments and third party products, and are
transitioning towards provision of support for Accolade and Organik sales and
projects.  Since the acquisition of Orbital, orders for the Organik
expertise-sharing solution have continued to come through, including the first
Organik sale into an existing Sopheon client.

With these changes, management believe that Sopheon is, in strategic and
operating terms, an integrated and focused business well positioned to
capitalise on its strengths going forward. All efforts are now being
concentrated on revenue growth and operational excellence to build towards the
stated goal of being a profitable and leading provider of software and services
to major corporations within the R&D market.

Sopheon's Chairman, Barry Mence commented:

'2001 has been another year of considerable progress in a very difficult market.
Two acquisitions completed have brought increased commercial reach,
complementary IP and a strengthened balance sheet. Together these provide key
ingredients for growth and cash resources which should see us through our
objective of becoming cashflow generative going into 2003. While we have been
disappointed with the speed of conversion of our sales pipeline, in spite of
economic conditions, we remain convinced that our Accolade and Organik products,
and our outsourcing propositions for research and information services, can
become solutions of choice within the R&D divisions of major corporations.'

Sopheon will issue its preliminary results statement for the year ended 31
December 2001 on 19 March 2002.

For further information contact :

Barry Mence, Chairman    ([e-mail])        Sopheon plc                 + 44 (0)1483-883000

Arif Karimjee, CFO       ([e-mail]       Sopheon plc                 + 44 (0)1483-883000
Steve Liebmann           ([e-mail])         Buchanan Communications     + 44 (0)207-466-5000
Barbara Jansen           ([e-mail])            Citigate First Financial    + 31 (0)205-754080





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