Accenture Announces Intent To Join AutoID, Inc. Extending Commitment To RFID And EPC Technologies.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2003

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) announced today that it will join AutoID Inc., a joint venture of the Uniform Code Council Inc. and EAN International. AutoID, Inc., a newly formed not-for-profit organization, will develop and oversee commercial and technical standards for the Electronic Product Code (EPC)(TM) Network.

As a member of AutoID, Inc., Accenture will provide support in the creation of industry standards for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Accenture is currently a board member of the Auto-ID Center, a partnership of nearly 100 global companies and five of the leading research universities in the world that explores the benefits and impacts of RFID technology.

"We expect the RFID application market to expand to almost $7 billion by 2008," said Jeff Smith, global managing partner of Accenture's Retail & Consumer Goods practice. "We fully support creating industry-wide standards. In fact, having standards will help drive adoption of RFID technology as well as increase the benefits for manufacturers, distributors and retailers."

"We applaud Accenture's commitment to joining our membership in the development of an open and standards-based commercialization of the EPC Network and RFID technology," said Dicki Lulay, president of AutoID, Inc. USA. "Accenture's participation is a strong indication of the technology's important business applications and we look forward to bringing its benefits to companies worldwide."

As a member of the Auto-ID Center, Accenture participated in the Business Case Action Group to develop several white papers and explore the benefits - mostly in the supply chain - for the manufacturing, retail and transportation industries. To access Accenture's business cases, go to www.accenture.com/silentcommerce.

In addition, Accenture studies business applications of RFID and EPC technologies at its research and development organization, Accenture Technology Labs. Researchers and client teams come together at the Accenture Technology Labs' facilities in Chicago, IL; Palo Alto, CA; and Sophia Antipolis, France, to work on current and emerging technologies and create a vision of how technology will shape the future and invent the next wave of business solutions.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting and technology services company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them realize their visions and create tangible value. With deep industry expertise, broad global resources and proven experience in consulting and outsourcing, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, alliances and technologies. With more than 80,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$11.6 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002. Its home page is www.accenture.com.