Infomedia and Toyota Motor Europe Sign Five-Year Data License Agreement

    NARRABEEN, Sydney, Australia--Jan. 3, 2002--International automotive industry I.T. developer, Infomedia Ltd (Infomedia), today announced the signing of a five-year data license agreement with Toyota Motor Europe (Toyota) for supply of its flagship electronic parts catalogue (EPC) system, Microcat(R), via National Marketing and Sales Companies to Toyota dealers and trade customers throughout Europe.
    Microcat is a system designed for the automotive industry to make the selection and sale of vehicle replacement parts quicker, easier and more accurate. The Microcat EPC system is well regarded around the world for its superior functionality and quality.
    Infomedia Chairman and CEO Richard Graham said that the company is honored in being chosen to provide Microcat to the European subsidiary of Toyota Motor Company and its dealers. "Toyota is one of the leading automakers in the world, and we are looking forward to this long term relationship," he stated.
    Graham went on to say that the selection of an EPC technology partner was given great consideration by Toyota because of the important role they would play in the `Toyota Way' vision. "It is rewarding to know that in such an internationally competitive contest as this was, that Infomedia and Microcat were recognized as having the `right stuff' for this tier-one vehicle maker.
    "This is a major agreement for Infomedia and under this data license, the company will provide Microcat to more than 3,000 Toyota dealers within Europe," he concluded.
    "The proud association with Toyota began in Australia in 1998. Infomedia's relationship expanded to other markets within the region soon after. The relationship within the region combined with the proven features and advanced technology of the Microcat system were significant factors leading to Infomedia securing the data license," stated Gary Martin, general manager of Infomedia's Electronic Cataloguing Division.
    Release of the system is scheduled for the second calendar quarter of this year. The agreement also includes a long period of exclusivity.
    Martin went on to say, "this agreement represents a new and exciting future for the Company as it not only incorporates the traditional ROM-based EPC, but also includes both of Infomedia's leading-edge Internet based e-commerce products -- Microcat LIVE(TM) and Microcat FRESH(TM). Microcat FRESH will serve Toyota dealers in setting up a closer business relationship with their parts trade customers (B2B) and later with their retail customers (B2C). Microcat LIVE will provide real-time professional EPC services directly to Toyota's dealers. Both of these e-commerce-enabling tools are perfectly suited for Toyota Motor Europe's visionary growth strategy for expanding genuine parts and service sales."
    In addition to being used by dealership parts personnel, the system is intended to be made available to Toyota Service advisors/technicians within the dealership network. The service selling system within Microcat enables them to not only quickly and accurately identify repair jobs for each specific car, but also identify and request the related parts and fluids for the required repair.
    An EPC is a sophisticated business software application that aids parts and service personnel in a dealership to determine the correct replacement parts for a vehicle, from the hundreds of thousands of parts in stock. The Microcat parts selling system, operates both from traditional ROM-discs and via the Internet. Its speed of operation, smooth integration with order entry systems, broad choice of features and easy to use graphical interface, makes it very popular with users and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
    Infomedia Ltd is a publicly listed company, which specializes in the development and licensing of information technology solutions for automotive dealerships around the world. Its flagship electronic parts catalogue (EPC) product, Microcat(R), is used in 123 countries and 23 languages. Its Business Systems division provides sophisticated accounting and customer process systems for large and multi-franchised dealers in Australia. Datateck Publishing Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infomedia, provides specialized OEM analytical work for parts catalogues and service documentation. The company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and its trading code is IFM.

    Microcat, Datateck and Infomedia are registered trademarks and Microcat FRESH and Microcat LIVE are trademarks of Infomedia Ltd. Toyota is a trademark of Toyota Motor Company.

    For further information or digital images contact:
    Nick Georges, General Counsel & Company Secretary
    Infomedia Ltd
    Ph: 02 9913 4715, or
    Email: ngeorges@infomedia.com.au