Bridgeport Fittings Launches Online Catalog Using Excara's CommerceCenter and Content Creation Solutions; Product Content Key to Bridgeport's e-Business Strategy.

Business/Technology Editors

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2001

Excara, Inc., a leading provider of product content and commerce solutions for manufacturers, today announced that Bridgeport Fittings, Inc. has re-launched its online catalog using Excara's CommerceCenter e-commerce application and Content Creation professional services.

Excara CommerceCenter provides an online catalog, representative locator and usage reporting. The company's Content Creation service builds product content databases that support online catalogs, internal product content information and catalogs syndicated to business partners.

With Excara's solution, Bridgeport Fittings' product content will be available online for customers and partners. Product content is the information about a product that does not change from transaction to transaction. Product content utilized in Bridgeport Fittings' online catalog includes catalog number, UPC number, description, parametric data, application notes, product pictures, dimensional line drawings, UL CSA and other certifications, and other detailed product information.

"Product content is the key to our e-business strategy," said Kirk Whiteman, VP Administration, Bridgeport Fittings. "Excara's end-to-end product content solution enables our company to quickly provide higher quality product information on our Web site and to our partners' online catalogs. As a result, we expect to further distinguish our brand and provide our customers with even better support and service."

Bridgeport Fittings previously utilized an online catalog that had limited search functions, limited product content, and was in a file format that could not be shared with business partners. Excara converted this catalog to one based on XML and database technology. This facilitated additional search functions, integration with partners' online catalogs and more efficient maintenance and management of catalog content.

Now, Bridgeport Fittings customers, prospects and business partners can utilize efficient search methods and complete product information. In the future, Bridgeport will be able to easily integrate its product content into the online catalogs supported by industrial distributors such as WESCO, Graybar and CamBar. These added capabilities put Bridgeport Fittings in a better position to increase sales and reduce costs by making it easier for its customers, prospects and business partners to access and utilize complete information about its product line on the Internet.

"E-business initiatives require product content that can be easily searched, shared, and maintained," said Paul Baier, CEO and president, Excara. "However, this strategic asset value of product content is often overlooked by manufacturers. Bridgeport Fittings has addressed this fundamental need and is now better able to serve its channel partners and end user customers."

About Bridgeport Fittings

Bridgeport Fittings was founded in 1925 and is America's leading manufacturer of industrial-grade quality fittings. Distributors sell Bridgeport Fittings' products to contractors and other end-users in the industrial, commercial and residential channels of the electrical industry. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.bptfittings.com/main.html or call 203.377.5944.

About Excara

Excara, Inc. provides content and commerce solutions specifically for manufacturers. Excara's offerings increase sales and reduce operating costs by turning product content into a strategic asset that enables manufacturers to better control their brand, sales channels and product information. Based in Burlington, Mass., Excara is backed by leading venture capital firms including Charles River Ventures, Sigma Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners and Rho Management. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.Excara.com or call [phone]

Excara, ContentCenter, CommerceCenter and Manufacturer Certified Content are trademarks of Excara, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other names are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.