Leading Retail Industry Award Presented to BMW For Virtual Sales Center Powered by Netkey Software; In-Store Kiosk Network Recognized for E-Commerce Excellence

    BRANFORD, Conn.--June 17, 2003--The BMW Virtual Sales Center kiosk (VSC), powered by the Netkey software suite, has won the 2003 Retail Systems Achievement Award for "Best in E-Commerce Integration," Netkey announced today. The award was presented at the Retail Systems Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.
    The Retail Systems Achievement Awards honor outstanding examples of systems and interactive applications that have resulted in more effective customer service and improved business processes.
    The BMW VSC, found in over 350 authorized BMW centers in the U.S., is an interactive multimedia kiosk that helps the automaker build sales, deliver consistent marketing messages, and reinforce BMW brand attributes at the point of the consumer's purchase decision in the dealership.
    Netkey software and services were used to develop the VSC application and to remotely monitor and administer the nationwide VSC network. Frank Mayer & Associates developed the VSC enclosure.
    "Now, more than ever, retailers are willing to invest in technology solutions that let them gain a competitive advantage and deliver enhanced services to customers that prove to drive sales," said Alex Richardson, chief executive officer of Netkey. "Netkey has helped BMW and other retailers extend their Web and rich media assets into the store, resulting in a more effective and consistent multi-channel strategy. This award is further confirmation of Netkey's commanding leadership position in self-service solutions for the retail market."
    The other Retail Systems Achievement Award winners were Wal-Mart Stores for "Best in Corporate Systems," Ahold USA/Stop & Shop for "Best in Customer Touchpoint Systems," Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) for "Best in E-Commerce Innovation," and Michael Herschel, executive vice president of information systems for Kroger, who received the "Career Achievement" honor.

    About Netkey

    Netkey provides a comprehensive software suite for the creation, management and control of extended self-service applications delivered through kiosks, digital signs and other customer and employee-facing technologies. Customers include America Online, BMW, Borders Books and Music, E*Trade, Fidelity Investments, Fleet Bank and Publix Super Markets. Netkey holds three U.S. patents for its self-service technology. For more information on Netkey, please contact the company at 1-800-443-7924, via e-mail at info@netkey.com, or visit Netkey on the Web at www.netkey.com.