Adecco Secures #18 Ranking in InformationWeek 500; Innovative Technology Puts Adecco in the Top Spot Among Staffing and HR Services Companies.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2003

Adecco (NYSE:ADO), the world's largest staffing and human resource services company, today announced that it has been cited as the industry leader in the InformationWeek 500. Adecco's spot at #18 is recognition that the company, with 1,300 points of service across the nation, employs pioneering technologies in e-business, recruiting and staff management initiatives for its clients. Among the technologies that differentiate Adecco for its innovation is AdeccoClub, the company's new Web-based portal that gives users access to a full range of HR data.

The InformationWeek 500, now in its 15th year, identifies the best technology and business practices of companies that demonstrate patterns of technological, procedural, and organizational innovation. Core areas of operations are examined, including IT budgets, technology deployment, e-business, customer knowledge, infrastructure, and business and technology strategies.

"We are extremely happy to have been ranked #18 in InformationWeek's annual study," said Arnie Rind, Adecco USA CIO. "This award provides us with a great sense of satisfaction, as we have worked hard to create an industry-leading IT operation. One of our newest innovations is AdeccoClub, a resource hub that automates transactions between the client and Adecco. Using the online product, clients order temporary and full-time employees, approve time sheets, view invoices, and access workforce management reports."

Julio Arrieta, CEO of Adecco USA, adds, "AdeccoClub is a robust tool that empowers businesses to drive their flexible workforce strategies effectively and efficiently. Until now, even products with just a few of these capabilities have typically not been accessible to small and medium-sized companies. AdeccoClub is available to every Adecco client, no matter how small, to support their business. It's this kind of ground-breaking technology that Adecco strives for, and we're very grateful that InformationWeek magazine recognizes our innovations."

About Adecco

Adecco S.A. is a Forbes 500 company and the global leader in HR solutions. The Adecco Group network connects 650,000 associates with business clients each day through its network of 28,000 employees and 5,800 offices in 67 countries around the world. Registered in Switzerland, and managed by a multinational team with expertise in markets spanning the globe, the Adecco Group delivers an unparalleled range of flexible staffing and career resources to corporate clients and qualified associates.

The Adecco Group comprises four Divisions: Adecco Staffing, Ajilon Professional, LHH Career Services and jobpilot e-HR Services. In Adecco Staffing, the Adecco staffing network focuses on flexible staffing solutions for global industries in transition, including automotive, banking, electronics, logistics and telecommunications; Ajilon Professional offers an unrivaled range of specialized recruiting and consulting businesses; LHH Career Services encompasses our portfolio of outplacement and coaching; jobpilot e-HR focuses on online recruiting activities for the Adecco Group.

Adecco USA serves more than 70,000 clients a year through a nationwide network of almost 1,300 points of sales and service. With headquarters in Melville, NY, Adecco USA employs about 3,300 full-time employees and places more than 120,000 temporary associates each week. Adecco USA also provides a full spectrum of human resource solutions, including payroll management; HR information systems; training; administration of group insurance, retirement plans and other benefits; risk management; and more.

Adecco S.A. is registered in Switzerland and is listed on the Swiss Exchange (ADEN / trading on Virt-x: 1213860), NYSE (ADO), and Euronext Premier Marche (12819).