ADP Canada and Mercedes-Benz Canada Launch Application Server for Canadian Dealers.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 1999--

Mercedes-Benz Canada dealers have been offered the opportunity to substantially reduce computing expenses by running their dealer management system (DMS) through an application server at the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Toronto. Mercedes-Benz will provide access to industry-leading DMS software from ADP Dealer Services Canada, also based in Toronto, as well as data storage and support services. John Westcott, Chief Information Officer of Mercedes Benz Canada estimates that the typical dealership could save up to $700 per month by reducing software, hardware and maintenance expenses.

"Switching my computing to the Mercedes-Benz application server has saved me a lot of money and headaches," said Tino Rossini, President of StarOne Motor Company, a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Ajax, Ontario. "Though I am connecting to the company's server in Toronto, my response time is very good. Better yet, they are responsible for keeping the software and hardware running, updating to the latest versions, backing up the data and so on. This gives me the peace of mind which allows me to focus on doing what I do best - running my dealership."

"This Mercedes-Benz initiative clearly demonstrates the advantages of the application server model for manufacturers and dealer groups," said John Gray, Senior Vice President - Marketing and e-Business for ADP.

Currently the majority of independent Mercedes-Benz dealers in Canada run the DMS software that manages their operations with on-site computers, usually UNIX boxes. They currently purchase the DMS software and server, perform software upgrades, maintain data security and all the other chores involved in running a computing operation. Under the new Mercedes-Benz plan, dealers pay a fixed fee, typically between $250 and $300, that includes client hardware and access to DMS software. "I estimate that the average dealer can reduce their out-of-pocket computing expenses significantly in the long term," Westcott said. "In addition, dealers will save time because our experienced information technology staff will perform most of the house-keeping services, software upgrades, daily backups and off-site storage of the dealers' valuable data."

"By running our four corporate stores in Vancouver and four corporate stores in Toronto on one application server," Westcott said, "we became convinced that not only would this approach work well but that it could save our dealers both time and money by reducing duplication in hardware and labour. Mercedes-Benz Canada has the largest single ADP installation in Canada with more than four hundred users which allows corporate savings on software to be passed on to the dealers."

ADP Dealer Services Group provides turnkey systems to more than 18,000 auto and truck dealers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America. ADP Dealer Services Group is the third largest business unit of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ADP, with over $5 billion in annual revenues and more than 450,000 clients, is one of the largest independent computing services firms in the world. More information on ADP and ADP Dealer Services Group is available via the Internet at www.adpdealer.com.

For more information contact ADP Dealer Services, 1950 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195. Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet: www.adp.com