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ICL Named Finalist for Microsoft RAD Award

27 March 2000

ICL Named Finalist for Microsoft RAD Award; GlobalSTORE AutoCenter Solution Boosts Customer Service for Auto Center Retailers, Recognized Among Best-of-breed Solutions

    DALLAS--March 27, 2000--ICL, a $4.5 billion global IT services company, announced today that its GlobalSTORE(R) AutoCenter solution is a finalist for a Microsoft(R) Retail Application Developer (RAD) Award to be presented April 18 by Microsoft Corp. at the Retail Systems 2000 Conference & Exposition in Chicago.
    The fifth annual Microsoft RAD Awards recognize application developers that demonstrate industry leadership by creating best-of-breed solutions built on the Windows(R) platform that maximize retailer business benefits. ICL's GlobalSTORE AutoCenter solution combines specialized customer kiosk with point-of-sale and retail back-office capabilities that enable auto center retailers to offer the highest level of customer service. It is one of only two RAD finalists in the general merchandise category. About 20 vendors competed in the general merchandise category, and approximately 100 competed overall in 12 categories.
    If ICL wins, this would be the company's third RAD award. In 1999 ICL was one of 10 winners for its Corema(R) EXPRESS product -- a Web-enabled software tool for marketing professionals -- and also received Microsoft's European RAD award for GlobalSTORE.
    In 1999 ICL's GlobalSTORE also received the Microsoft Certified Solution Provider (MCSP) Award for "Best Business Solution by an Independent Software Vendor" presented at Microsoft Fusion 99. Ten companies were selected from a worldwide community of 19,500 MCSP organizations as leaders in their respective categories. The MCSP Awards recognize and reward the outstanding work of MCSPs, independent firms that develop and implement software solutions across all industries using Microsoft products and technologies.
    The GlobalSTORE AutoCenter solution gives store customers immediate, online access to parts pricing and availability through a touch-screen kiosk. The same system also integrates POS, cash management, service tracking, inventory management, client history and an electronic product catalog for the retailer. Highly scalable, the solution is based on Microsoft's enterprise architecture.
    "ICL's strategic global alliance with Microsoft has resulted in scalable, open solutions that help our clients build closer relationships with their customers, while reducing their total cost of ownership," said Austen Mulinder, president and CEO of ICL's North American business. "We're thrilled to be recognized for a solution that we believe will help the automotive industry deliver better service for less money. Being one of two finalists for this prestigious award is a real honor."
    Judging criteria includes quantifiable business benefits, best use of the Microsoft Windows operating system-based technology and Microsoft BackOffice family of server applications, ease of use and adoption, and integration and exploitation of Internet and intranet technology. Applicants are judged on several factors aimed at rewarding solution developers who meet business objectives and customer satisfaction needs.

    About ICL

    ICL is a global IT services company. It designs, builds and operates information systems and services for customers in the retail, finance, government, telecommunications, utilities and travel markets. The company has operations in over 40 countries and employs over 22,000 people.
    Transformed from a manufacturer of computers, today ICL improves business performance and competitiveness through services focused on electronic business, enterprise applications and the implementation and outsourcing of IT infrastructure.
    For the 12 months to March 31, 1999, the company's revenues were $4,458.4 billion (2.735 billion British Pounds) which generated a profit before tax and exceptional charges of $105.1 million (64.5 million British Pounds). Headquartered in London, ICL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu and plans to float on the London Stock Exchange in 2000.
    Web site: www.icl.com.

NOTE: Exchange rate for restating ICL's revenues in US dollars:1 British Pound = $1.63 GlobalSTORE is a registered trademark of International Computers Limited in the USA, UK and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the USA and/or other countries.