Celarix to Centralize Logistics Information for Sharp Electronics Corporation.

Business/Technology Editors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 2000

Developer of Core Digital Technologies to Broaden Information Access

With Web-based Celarix Shipper Solution

Celarix, Inc., the leading provider of web-based logistics management services, today announced that Sharp Electronics Corporation will use Celarix Visibility to manage its inbound domestic and international product movements by centralizing relevant purchase order and shipment information. Together with Celarix and project partner Andersen Consulting, Sharp aims to fully integrate all its existing internal systems, including SAP, and external service providers to track inbound shipments from the port of origin through U.S. distribution centers by Q4 2000.

The Visibility application will help Sharp improve customer service by enhancing the functionality of existing technologies and providing access to real-time shipment information. Implementation of Celarix Visibility is one component of Sharp's Supply Chain Improvement Program.

"During our search for a logistics solution, Celarix was the only company that had the capability to meet all our needs," said James O'Connor, vice president of logistics for Sharp Electronics Corporation. "We considered building an application in-house before seeing what Celarix had to offer, but found through due diligence that Celarix could implement the solution we needed at a significantly lower cost in one quarter of the time."

Sharp sells TVs, VCRs, fax and copier machines, microwaves, DVDs, LCD screens and other electronics. The web-based Celarix solution will streamline Sharp's supply chain and reduce costs associated with moving its products manufactured around the world. Sharp will utilize Celarix to view real-time status of all inbound supplier shipments, from purchase order, through shipment, to the appropriate distribution location.

"Sharp's management team wanted a proven solution that would integrate into its existing systems, but improve visibility significantly," said Bill Kapler, partner for Andersen Consulting. "Celarix was a solid fit for Sharp - the solution easily addressed the key issues of presenting real-time shipping information via the Web, improving customer service and internal processes, and generating data to make critical business decisions."

"The integration of information from disparate sources within a customer's supply chain creates a positive ripple throughout the entire organization," said Evan Schumacher, CEO for Celarix. "Combining product visibility with accessibility via the Web will help Sharp be more proactive in providing information and services to its customers and eliminate the black holes that lead to inefficient and redundant processes. We want our customers to know where every container is at all times so they can give their customers the very best, updated information available."

Celarix provides a web-based, vendor-neutral solution, giving customers the opportunity to work more efficiently with their established transportation partners. Using Celarix Visibility, Sharp will be alerted to potential problems, such as shipment delays and missing shipments, while there is still time to act and make economically feasible adjustments to fulfill an order. Initially, the Celarix Shipper Solution will provide Sharp with domestic and international visibility for inbound shipments needed to quickly identify bottlenecks, adjust the original plan according to those changes and evaluate the most efficient course of action to get its product to the destination, on time.

About Sharp Electronics Corporation

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of mobile computing products for consumer and business needs. Since creating the Wizard(R) electronic organizer in 1989, Sharp has led the market in introducing innovative handheld computing products. Sharp is also the global leader in LCD technology, which is incorporated into leading-edge LCD monitors and projectors. From the small office/home office (SOHO) to large corporate environments, Sharp provides a variety of innovative, computer-related solutions designed to help increase productivity while providing functionality to meet customer demand. Dedicated to improving people's lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design, Sharp Electronics employs approximately 3,100 people nationwide to support its more than 50 product lines. For more information on Sharp, access the company's web-site at www.sharp-usa.com.

About Celarix

Based in Cambridge, Mass., Celarix, Inc., was founded in August 1998 by experts from the supply chain, logistics, technology and transportation industries. Celarix provides multi-national organizations with integrated web-based applications for procuring and selling transportation services, and managing and analyzing the logistics process. By connecting customers with their internal systems and supply chain partners, Celarix enables retailers, manufacturers, distributors, carriers and other transportation service providers to use the power of logistics information to improve the process of moving and managing goods world wide, and ultimately increase profitability and the quality of customer service.

For more information on Celarix and its solutions, access the company's web-site at www.celarix.com.