Briggs & Stratton U.K. Offers Dealers Free E-Catalog "Test Drive"; Firm Uses ARI's PartSmart Electronic Catalog Software to Sell Advantages of E-Commerce.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2001

ARI Network Services, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:ARIS), a leading provider of Partner Relationship Management (PRM) and business-to-business (B2B) Internet e-Commerce solutions for equipment manufacturers with shared service and distribution networks, announced that Briggs & Stratton U.K. together with IBCOS Computers, ARI's Value Added Reseller (VAR), will provide its dealers a 60-day "test drive" of the Briggs & Stratton electronic parts offered through ARI's PartSmart(TM) software.

"This offer gives dealers the opportunity to try out the software under real life conditions right in their own dealerships," said Bryan Peachey, general manager for Briggs & Stratton U.K. "When Briggs & Stratton offered the program to its dealers in the United States, the response was overwhelming and resulted in dealers licensing PartSmart and the Briggs catalog. Based on this success, we wanted to provide the U.K. dealers this same exciting opportunity."

Peachey added that dealers get free use of the PartSmart software and the Briggs & Stratton U.K. database for 60 days. "We believe this system will greatly expand the availability of correct repair and parts information and offer our dealers and repair centers an opportunity to improve productivity and reduce costs. It also helps make sure the right parts are ordered the first time, improving the convenience of service in general."

"Briggs & Stratton continues to be a leader in the use of business-to-business e-Commerce," said Brian E. Dearing, chairman and chief executive officer of ARI. "I believe that their leading edge strategy goes beyond technical leadership with programs like the PartSmart "test drive" that encourages dealers to share in the advantages of e-Commerce. ARI's PartSmart was developed after many years of experience in electronic parts management, and we are confident that dealers in the U.K. will recognize the same benefits that this software has provided to their counterparts in the U.S."

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 2000 sales of $1.5 billion.

ARI Network Services, Inc. is a leading provider of PRM/e-Commerce solutions for sales, service and life-cycle product support in the manufactured equipment market. ARI currently serves over 100 manufacturers and 20,000 dealers in more than 100 countries in 12 segments of the worldwide manufactured equipment market including outdoor power, recreation vehicle, floor maintenance, auto and truck parts aftermarket, marine and construction. The Company builds and supports a full suite of multi-media electronic catalog publishing and viewing software for the Web or CD. ARI communications systems provide a global electronic pathway for parts orders, product registrations, warranty claims and other transactions between manufacturers and their networks of sales and service points. ARI currently operates three offices in the United States and one in Europe and has sales and service agents in Australia, England and France providing marketing and support of its electronic catalog and dealer communications products.