Briggs & Stratton Selects Web-based Warranty System by ARI; New System Expands ARI's Web Offerings in the Outdoor Power Industry.

Business Editors

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000

ARI Network Services, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:ARIS), a leading provider of business-to-business (B2B) Internet e-Commerce solutions for equipment manufacturers with shared service and distribution networks announced that Briggs Stratton Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has introduced a Web-based warranty claim service developed by ARI.

Briggs & Stratton will offer the Web-based system to its 20,000-member North American dealer network enabling dealers to speed the warranty process, reduce claim handling time and receive payment faster. Future plans include expansion of the Briggs e-Claim to selected countries where another 15,000 dealers are potential users.

"This new Web-based service is the first of its kind to be offered by a small engine manufacturer in the outdoor power equipment industry," said Erik Aspelin, vice president of E-Commerce at Briggs & Stratton. "The Briggs & Stratton e-Claim system is very easy to use and will have several advantages for dealers as well as Briggs. The system, designed to pre-validate claims and assist dealers in completing the claim, will result in fewer errors and make the warranty process more efficient for all parties involved."

Aspelin indicated that software for the Briggs & Stratton e-Claim system was designed with smaller dealers in mind, including dealers that may not have business management systems. "We wanted to attract our smaller dealers who may not be fully automated and do not process a large number of claims," Aspelin said. "Dealers need only have Internet connectivity with a standard current browser."

"This is a very significant step forward in outdoor power B2B e-Commerce and we're very pleased to be working with Briggs & Stratton on this exciting initiative," said Brian E. Dearing, chairman and chief executive officer of ARI. "While this is a new application, the technology of the Web-based warranty claim system is based on our very successful TradeRoute(R) dealer communications software that has proven itself in many, many industries. Because of our years of experience in dealer communications and electronic catalogs in many segments of the equipment industry, we have in-depth knowledge of the needs of both dealers and manufacturers."

Dearing indicated that ARI's strategy is to provide a single, integrated family of electronic communication and catalog products that allows manufacturers to communicate with dealers and service locations via both the Web and CD. Electronic dealer communications and catalogs have improved service, increased productivity and reduced costs in industries like outdoor power, recreation vehicle, power sports, power tools, marine and automotive. "We are confident that Briggs & Stratton's partnership with ARI in developing this Web-based e-Commerce solution will result in a more effective and efficient way of doing business," Dearing said.

Briggs & Stratton produces air-cooled gasoline engines from 3.5-to 25 horsepower used in such equipment as garden tillers and tractors, lawn edgers, riding and walk-behind mowers, shredders and snow throwers. The firm had 1999 sales of $1.5 billion.

ARI Network Services, Inc. is a leading provider of B2B Internet e-Commerce solutions for equipment manufacturers with shared service and distribution networks. ARI currently serves over 20,000 dealers and more than 100 major manufacturers in 12 segments of the worldwide manufactured equipment market including outdoor power, recreation vehicle, floor maintenance, marine and construction. The Company's communications systems link the back end systems of manufacturers to the business systems of their independent dealers, distributors and service points, thereby providing a global pathway for product orders, warranty registrations and other transactions. ARI also provides software to publish and view electronic parts catalogs on World Wide Web and CD-ROM. ARI currently operates three offices in the United States and has sales and service agents in Australia, England, France and Italy providing marketing and support of its dealer communications and electronic catalog products. Additional information on ARI is available at the Company's website www.arinet.com(TM).