CCI and ARI Pact Provides Complete Publishing Solution; Strategic Agreement Broadens Offerings to Manufacturers.

Business/Technology Editors

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2002

ARI (OTCBB:ARIS), a leading provider of electronic catalog-enabled business solutions and Commercial Communications, Inc. (CCI), a leader in document and information management, today announced an agreement under which ARI will market CCI's products and services to manufacturers and their distribution channels. Brian E. Dearing, chairman and chief executive officer of ARI and Robert D. Hegwood, founder and president of CCI, issued the announcement at ARI's Milwaukee headquarters.

Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly market CCI's integrated printing, fulfillment and distribution services, including Publication Zone(TM), to current and future customers, along with ARI's PartSmart(TM), EMPARTweb(TM), EMPARTviewer(TM) and EMPARTpublisher(TM) software and publishing services.

"CCI is very excited about the opportunity our alliance with ARI offers our customers," Hegwood said. "The partnership between CCI and ARI provides an end-to-end solution to manufacturing customers and future prospects by closing the document management loop using trusted, market-leading components. We can now leverage ARI's state-of-the-art electronic catalog software with Publication Zone(TM), CCI's web-enabled document manager. It's critical we not only provide tailored print-on-demand solutions but also help our customers fully harness the power of the Digital Age. The agreement is very well aligned with our strategy aimed at providing manufacturers with a digital electronic or print path to their channels and end users."

"We are delighted to add CCI's products and services to our content management solution for manufacturers," Dearing said. "CCI's full suite of document management tools complements our dynamic parts and service catalog products. We are now in the unique position of being able to provide our customers with a complete catalog solution that will allow them to create a single database that can then be distributed via ARI's EMPARTweb, PartSmart or EMPARTviewer electronic parts catalogs, CCI's traditional print methods or Publication Zone, CCI's comprehensive electronic document ordering software. The partnership fits perfectly with our business strategy to partner with complementary solution providers to expand and extend ARI's offerings, add new sales and referrals, incorporate ARI products into broader, integrated offerings and extend and customize products for new markets."

Commercial Communications, Inc. (CCI), headquartered in Hartland, WI, is one of the largest electronic print and digital information providers in North America and a pioneer in on-line document ordering, viewing, tracking and management for B2B companies. The company specializes in integrating printing, fulfillment and distribution through traditional printing methods, including digital, web and offset technologies, and a suite of e-business software. CCI primarily serves global Fortune manufacturers of fabricated metals, industrial machinery, farm equipment, electronics, instruments and controls, motor vehicles, power sports, and marine equipment. It was the logistics of helping manufacturers reach multiple stakeholders around the globe that prompted CCI to create a document system around legacy information to manage inventory, order tracking, shipping and distribution. The Internet propelled CCI to expand its cornerstone product into Publication Zone, a fully functional, web-enabled workflow management tool. CCI's goal is to exceed customers' expectations by providing information when, where and how they need it by focusing on helping to weave the most efficient document production and delivery into the overall e-business strategy. The 20-year old, privately held company supports its customers through sales and production offices in Hartland, Phoenix and Chicago.

ARI is a leading provider of electronic catalog-enabled business solutions for sales, service and life-cycle product support in the manufactured equipment market. ARI currently serves approximately 100 lines of manufactured equipment and 25,000 dealers in more than 100 countries in a dozen segments of the worldwide manufactured equipment market including outdoor power, recreation vehicle, floor maintenance, auto and truck parts aftermarket, power sports, 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 and provides expert catalog publishing and consulting services. 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 also provides a template-based dealer website service that makes it quick and easy for an equipment dealer to have a professional and attractive website. 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 products and services.