ARI enters new market with network for ag chem dealers.

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1997--ARI Network Services, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:ARIS), a leading provider of Internet-enabled electronic commerce services, today announced its entry into a new market with the selection of its network and Meppel(TM) electronic commerce software for a dealer network for WILFARM, L.L.C., a major distributor of agricultural chemicals based in Gladstone, Mo.

"The development of a dealer communications network for WILFARM is a significant step for ARI Network Services, expanding our capabilities in the agricultural chemical industry to include retail dealers for the first time. We can now support all three tiers of the ag chem distribution channel: manufacturers, distributors and dealers," says Brian E. Dearing, president and chief executive officer of ARI Network Services. "Our entry into the dealer channel opens the door to 32,000 ag chem dealers who are potential customers for our Meppel software and networking services."

The new network will be integrated with the accounting and business systems software of more than 100 of WILFARM's dealer customers in over 300 locations across the Midwest for the automation of product movement and sales reporting.

"ARI's Meppel software and the new network will help free WILFARM dealers from detailed and time consuming sales reporting. Through WILFARM, dealers will also be able to seamlessly transmit high-quality, standardized sales and product data to ag chem manufacturers such as American Cyanamid, Monsanto, Zeneca and others," says Dearing.

"Once the network is operational, our dealers will be able to participate in marketing programs without burdensome manual reporting," says Steve Dietze, vice-president and chief operating officer of WILFARM. "They'll be free to focus on what they do best: selling and serving their farmer customers."

Meppel, which was developed specifically for electronic commerce applications, makes complex electronic data interchange (EDI) communications between trading partners in an industry almost as simple as turning on the computer. It satisfies the agricultural industry's demand for a very easy-to-use, point-and-click system with straightforward data entry, high quality data transmission and strong end-user support. ARI Network Services works closely with major dealer business system vendors to ensure they have the necessary information and support to enable their systems to interface with Meppel.

"Like others who are already using Meppel, WILFARM dealers will benefit from the new network in terms of efficiency and profitability. We're looking forward to working closely with WILFARM in the months ahead to expand the network to include other services, such as electronic access to important regulatory databases and electronic mail services," says Dearing.

ARI Network Services, Inc. is a provider of standards-based, Internet-enabled electronic commerce services for commercial communities and their distribution channels or business partners. ARI currently serves the agribusiness, freight transportation and newspaper publishing industries with a complete range of software, services and support that streamline distribution channels by automating the flow of commercial information between trading partners. These dealer and distributor management systems provide an electronic pathway for sales reports, product ordering, warranty registrations and other transactions between manufacturers and their networks of sales and service points. ARI also builds and manages electronic parts catalogs and electronic commerce databases, including industry-common directories of products, companies and locations.

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CONTACT: ARI Network Services, Inc.

Nancy Krajcir, 414/283-4380

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

or

Vollrath Associates, Inc.

Marilyn Vollrath or Linda Edmondson, 414/377-5600

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]