iStarSystems Provides Solutions That Shift Customers Into `'iPerformance''

    IRVINE, Calif.--June 12, 2001--

New Supply Chain Management Solutions Offers Automotive Replacement
    Parts Companies Lower Cycle Times, Lower Risk and Lower Costs

    Repeatable, reliable results.
    Sounds simple, but that's what companies in the automotive aftermarket replacement parts sector have been searching for to help solve their stubborn, costly supply chain management problems.
    For iStarSystems, a customer-driven B2B firm specializing in e-business products and software, the answer was to kick it into "iPerformance" with its new preconfigured solutions, designed to standardize, simplify and strengthen the implementation process and integration time without the built-to-order expense.
    "The goal is to cut cycle times, reduce risks and lower the cost of implementing supply chain management solutions," said Jeff Smith, iStarSystems chief technology officer.
    "The concept behind preconfiguring these solutions is not just the technical work of setting up the software, it's the analysis and design of integrating this software with a company's existing systems -- whatever they might be."
    Founded by Toyota and i2 Technologies, iStarSystems combines Toyota's parts and service expertise and i2's TradeMatrix(TM) platform and supply chain management software with internal proprietary development to produce preconfigured solutions that feature all the benefits of customized, proprietary solutions without the risk or expense of starting from scratch.
    "On the front end, we combine the business skills and industry knowledge to create solutions that meet the specific needs of companies in the automotive replacement parts industry," Smith said.
    "On the back end, we offer a revolutionary integration approach that automatically translates any type of data file into an executable format. This enables companies to continue using the same technology and workflow they currently use and still reap all the benefits of sophisticated supply chain management."
    According to Smith, that translates into repeatable, reliable results. "Our whole focus on the software engineering side is around a factory approach -- building repeatable, reliable processes and components that can be reused," he explained. "However, having repeatable solutions does not lock customers into rigid structures that limit their flexibility."
    Finally, because iStarSystems offers its solutions in a hosted environment, which are paid for on a monthly subscription basis, customers have the option to start with a simple solution and expand as needed.
    "Our model is like telephone service," Smith said. "You start with the basic service, but can add call forwarding, call waiting and more as you need it. That enables companies to start seeing a return on investment right away."

    About iStarSystems (formerly iStarXchange)

    Founded by i2 Technologies and Toyota, iStarSystems offers sophisticated e-business products and solutions for the automotive replacement parts industry. The company provides custom private marketplace supply chain management and design solutions based on i2 Technologies' industry-leading TradeMatrix platform and supply management software along with Vignette Corp.'s content management and integration solutions.
    For more information on iStarSystems, visit www.iStarSystems.com.