BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Innovation help companies reach the fast-moving Latin American market.

Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, corporate executives are looking for effective business tools that provide greater efficiency, seamless applications, rapid communication and higher visibility in their target markets. In many cases this means harnessing the latest technology -- software, hardware, application services and telecommunications -- to gain an edge in this fast-moving marketplace. Other tools are designed to help an organization operate in the most effective manner or build the infrastructure needed to reach today's customers.

In the past year, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) commerce have been growing rapidly in Latin America. But forecasters expect the growth curve to rise dramatically in the next five years. For instance, B2B e-commerce is expected to climb from US$160 million this year to approximately $8 billion in 2003. On the consumer side, Latin America's base of online users is projected to grow by 34% a year during that same time period, reaching 30 million in 2003.

These e-commerce trends have profound implications for global, regional and local companies doing business in Latin America, requiring new types of investments, business processes, logistics systems and marketing approaches. Here are some solutions for Latin America's rapidly evolving New Economy.

COMMTOUCH

An international leader in global messaging and integrated e-mail outsourcing services, Commtouch helps destination web sites, service providers and small to mid-size enterprises reach Latin America's fast-growing online audience.

"We've been providing web-based e-mail in the region since 1998 and now have 21 customers with 33 domain names," says Steve Sandler, director of sales, Commtouch Latin America in Miami. "The phrase 'Powered by Commtouch' has become synonymous with superior performance and highly scalable email solutions around the globe."

With more than 500 million e-mail boxes expected in Latin America by 2005, Commtouch see a huge opportunity for online business growth -- especially since its e-mail can be received by wireless devices common in the Latin market.

Commtouch e-mail solutions help clients like Yupi, Tutopia and Obsidiana boost traffic to their sites and offer new services to users. Commtouch also works with service providers and telecom companies to increase their functionalities, such as offering multiple domain names customizes services to individual end users.

"Although we are a global company, we work locally," adds Sandler. "We are opening an office in Latin America and evaluating other business partners for strategic relationships in the region."

Founded in 1991, Commtouch (NASDAQ: CTCH) customizes messaging solutions for more than 400 corporations, ASPs, ISPs, portals and online companies. For more information, visit www.commtouch.com.

CLADIRECT

CLAdirect is the leading provider of internetworking solutions for Latin America and the Caribbean. The company takes advantage of web-based technologies to effectively promote its know how and diligence across the region. Founded in 1997 to help develop the region's telecommunications infrastructure. CLAdirect focuses on state-of-the-art networking products and services.

"We are an internetworking solutions provider," says Andres Martinez, director of business development in Miami. "We provide the only high-end Internet infrastructure technology and the services required to optimize the technology: network design, consulting, configuration, monitoring and technical support."

Since 1997, CLAdirect has installed more than 50,000 remote access ports in the region that give access to 15% of the region's internet users.

CLAdirect has offices in Venezuela and Colombia and will open offices in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico before yearend. Its list of clients includes leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs), e-commerce and Internet concerns, telcos, carriers, systems integrators and several Fortune 500 companies.

"They choose CLAdirect because of our expertise and experience," says Martinez. "They trust us. We only provide top-of-the-line technology and support it with manufacturer-certified engineers. We have our own communications lab where we test and use the same technology we sell to our customers. Our clients are on the forefront of growing Internet literacy and usage in the region."

With its unequaled market knowledge and reputation, CLAdirect is recognized by customers and manufacturers alike for its competitive pricing, pre and post-sale support, and its intricate knowledge of shipping and order fulfillment for the region. The bottom line: CLAdirect provides Latin America with a technology platform for the future. For more information, visit www.CLAdirect.com.

MACOLA

Working through a growing network of business partners, Macola offers cost-effective enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions to manufacturers and distribution companies throughout Latin America. "We offer a feature-rich product that delivers excellent value to the end user," says Andres Castrillon, general manager, Latin America/Caribbean. "Our mission is to offer an effective product using technologies in high demand in Latin America through our channel of business partners."

Macola, which is based in Ohio, established its Latin American office in South Florida five years ago and currently has 12 business partners in the region. Major companies like Nabisco, AC Nielsen and Nutrexpa use Macola's software to help manage their organizations.

"We keep in close contact with our end users, and monitor their satisfaction," says Castrillon. "We are interested in expanding our channel community in order to extend our market coverage, and we are focusing on top-level consulting firms that can benefit from our product offerings and support services."

Macola has invested in product development and localization to meet Latin financial and operational requirements and offers Spanish-language support, including training and certification for its consultants. Macola was included in Manufacturing Systems' list of the "Top 100 Manufacturing Software Vendors" for 1999. For more information, visit www.macola.com.

MOVILGO

In wireless-oriented Latin America, MovilGo lets telecom carriers, content providers and corporate enterprises reach out to mobile Internet users. MovilGo's products allow individuals and corporate users of handheld devices (PDAs), wireless devices (two-way pagers) and WAP (smart phones) to access popular newspaper, entertainment, and business sites in Spanish and Portuguese, and to download personalized channel content and software applications

"We are a technology enabler, helping the region's carriers to deliver a wireless Internet experience, localized to specific regions and with localized content," says Salvador Jimenez, founder and CEO. "We are helping them go to market faster and deliver better content."

To bring this new medium to wireless users throughout the region, MovilGo has established strategic technology and content relationships with partners like manufacturer Palm Latin America, and providers like Patagon.com, Bloomberg, SportsYa and Viajo.com.

"As technology continues to evolve at a tremendous speed, a whole new generation will experience the web for the first time on a wireless device," says Jimenez. "Content providers are anxious to become the first to provide content for these devices in Latin America, and we are the players to help them gain that advantage."

Founded in 1999 as a privately held company. MovilGo is based in Coral Gables with offices in Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. For more information, visit www.movilgo.com.

DESCARTES

Internet-related B2B e-commerce is growing rapidly throughout Latin America. However, effective fulfillment and delivery remains a major challenge, according to Robert Camozzo, senior vice president, Latin America for Descartes, a leading provider of end-to-end logistics solutions that facilitate B2B e-commerce.

"We are focused on e-fulfillment software and exchange solutions that enable companies to create high-speed, high-performance fulfillment networks called DeliveryNets," Camozzo says. DeliveryNets allow organizations serving Latin America to deliver reliable, responsive customer service and to create innovative new products and services.

DeliveryNet solutions leverage the Internet-based Global Logistics Network, an open, worldwide network of shippers, receivers, carriers, logistics service providers, e-marketplaces, vertical portals, and transportation exchanges. The result is a global information infrastructure that helps businesses manage physical product movement.

Descartes has facilities in Miami and Mexico City and certified distributors, technicians and support facilities throughout Latin America. "Our organization has served Latin America for nearly a decade as Roadshow International, which was acquired by Descartes in 1997. "Our Roadshow software has led the market for routing and scheduling in Latin America, and we are looking to further increase efficiencies and logistics network capabilities in that area with our complete DeliveryNet offerings," says Jose Velazquez, director of sales, Latin America.

Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ:DSGX, TSE:DSG) products are licensed by more than 850 companies worldwide. Recently, Vanda, China's largest systems integrator, and Ship.com, a premier transportation portal, have selected Descartes' technology for their Internet logistics solutions.

For more information, visit www.descartes.com.

XYTEC INTERNATIONAL

Banks engaged in international trade finance are turning to Xytec International Corporation for cost-effective software solutions. Since 1990, when Xytec introduced TradePlus, its first trade finance product, the innovative company has helped banks in Latin America, the Caribbean and many other parts of the globe lower their costs, improve productivity and increase their service fee income.

Xytec's newest product is VistaTrade, a Bolero-ready trade finance system, built for the web from the ground up. "VistaTrade serves as a front-end and back-office solution that is tightly integrated on one platform," explains Oscar Bedoya, vice president of marketing and sales. "For banks to participate successfully in e-commerce on a sustained basis, they will need applications such as VistaTrade, which specifically addresses the needs of the new economy."

Xytec recently established a regional office in Miami and views Latin America as a vibrant financial market with tremendous potential. For more information, visit www.xytecinternational.com

GAMBLINGSOF1WARE.COM

GamblingSofware.com offers a turnkey Internet gaming package to investors who want to build traffic on their online sites or to develop a new online business with high revenue potential. In Latin America, the Canadian-based company is focusing initially on Brazil,

Mexico and Argentina with their higher levels of Internet penetration.

"We are the leading developer of instant-play games for the Internet," says Miguel Salas, assistant marketing director for Latin America. "We offer software and provide the specialized human and technical resources to build Internet casinos according to your specific requirements. With a minimum investment of US$50,000, we can put you in control of your own online casino."

For more information, visit www.Gamblingsoftware.com or contact Miguel Salas at [e-mail].

ACER'S TRAVELMATE 600

The TravelMate 600 series has all he power of a desktop replacement in a lightweight, ultra-slim machine. The TravelMate 600's all-in-one functionality exemplifies the perfect mobility and performance needed by leading businesses professionals.

The TravelMate 600 series is powered by the latest Intel Pentium Ill processors featuring Intel SpeedStep technology, at speeds up to 650MHz with integrated 256KB L2 cache. Performance is assured by a 12GB easy-to-remove HDD. The TravelMate 600 weighing around 2kgs, is a leader in its class.

The TravelMate 600 is designed to meet the needs of an increasing number of leading business professionals who are looking for light-weight portable units but do not want to compromise on speed, screen size or hard-disk space. These typical users demand a top-of-the-line notebook computer system, and are likely to prefer the best performance and latest features to enable them to increase their productivity and take more control of their lives.

The design is slim and stylish. An internal CD-Writer comes as standard on each of the TravelMate 600 series, providing enhanced data-handling capabilities to enable databases, graphics, photos, audio and video files to be backed up or shared between computers.

The CD-Writer drive has a slimmer form than the LS-120 drive or zip drive, making it an ideal choice for a mobile PC. To make this flexible storage medium even easier to use, the TravelMate 600 series ships with a copy of EasyCD Creator 4 from Adaptec, the market leader in CD authoring solutions.

The new notebook boasts a 13.3-inch TFT XGA color display for increased comfort and ease of use, enabling users to work with multiple windows and large spreadsheets. Superior graphics are delivered by the 2xAGP controller with 8MB of embedded SDRAM, 3D acceleration, MPEG-2 acceleration for DVD playback and Dualview support.

On the road, the TravelMate 600 is robust and easy to manage. Acer's optional EasyPort port replicator system eliminates all cable management problems. Its rugged construction includes a magnesium alloy chassis and lid, which protects the notebook from any external shock. For greater data integrity the TravelMate 600 series features Acer's DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) system, which minimizes vibration and shock to the hard disk.

Acer's thermal engineering team is one of he best in the industry and continues to innovate by providing thermal design solutions that enable portability. Along with Acer's advanced power management design, The TravelMate 600 series ensures a battery life of four hours - the longest for any notebook in its class.

The built in 10/100 Ethernet and mode! module keeps users connected wherever they are. Other key features of the TravelMate 600 include:

* Acer's FlexFlow Air Channel intelligent thermal solution

* 56Kbps U V.90 data/fax modem (with international PTT approval)

* Maximum memory expandability to 512MB.

* The AcerMedia Bay, which provides flexibility and maximizes use of resources by allowing device sharing between multiple TravelMate 600s.

* Scroll Key Enabled Touchpad for maximum comfort and ease of use.

* Included USB 1.44Mb floppy disk drive.

* Optional USB Video Camera and optional EasyPort port replicator.

LANDOR ASSOCIATES: HELPING CLIENTS BUILD EFFECTIVE BRANDS

Successful brands are not simple creations. In today's media-saturated society, brands must adapt and communicate in more ways than ever before to reach a fragmented and distracted audience.

Landor Associates is the world's most accomplished and internationally recognized branding and design consultancy. Offering a multidisciplinary range of brand strategy, design, naming, interactive and research services, Landor helps its clients worldwide create, renew and strengthen their brand power.

"We play an important role in Latin America," says Joe Pantigoso, executive director for Latin America. "Branding is critical for Latin American companies facing global competition at home or for Latin American companies expanding beyond their home markets."

Landor has consulted with Latin American clients like Brazil Telecom, yang, and Argentina's Arcor packaged foods conglomerate. "On today's global playing field, Latin American companies need to have strategically differentiated brands with a world-class look and feel," says Pantigoso. "Not only for effective communications to consumers but to attract international investors as well."

He adds, "Consistent and integrated branding is also important. Every point of touch with a targeted audience should communicate the same message."

For the Brazilian bank Bradesco, Landor developed a new corporate identity and applied it to the signage of its numerous bank branches, customer forms and even ATM screens. "Large Latin American conglomerates with various and inconsistent brands often look to us to create branding strategies and architecture to help maximize their message at all points of touch."

Landor has been serving Latin American clients since the 1970s when founder Walter Landor opened the first regional office in Mexico City.

Today, Landor's global network includes integrated brand consulting and design offices in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, London, Paris, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Mexico. City, and an affiliate office in Sydney.

Brand consulting and marketing offices in other major cities include Madrid, Milan, Sao Paulo, Stockholm, Bangkok; Seoul, Taipei, Miami and southern California at Irvine. Landor is part of the Young and Rubicam Group.