Clariant Selects Infonet as Key Telecommunications Partner.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

HOOFDDORP, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2001

Infonet Enables Global B2B and SAP Applications via Intranet,

Internet and Consultative Services in Five-Year Agreement

Infonet Services Corp. (NYSE:IN) (FSE:IN), a leading provider of global communications for multinationals, today announced it has been appointed by Clariant to be its exclusive telecommunications partner.

The five-year multi-service outsourcing agreement utilizes a range of Infonet services and, more importantly, positions Infonet as a key strategic advisor for addressing the telecommunications requirements of Clariant. In this consultative role, Infonet has the primary responsibility for ensuring that Clariant's current telecommunications system is able to optimally perform to meet the company's business objectives and provide a significant return on investment.

Clariant is one of the world's leading specialty and fine chemical companies with nearly 30,000 employees and more than 100 Group companies on five continents. Annual sales are in excess of CH10 billion (US$4 billion). Clariant has grown out the chemical division of Sandoz.

With offices and factories across the globe, the company's worldwide network faces increasing demands, particularly from a base of some 12,500 SAP users. To effectively deal with this situation, Clariant implemented a thorough and comprehensive bidding process aimed at finding an optimal single source supplier. Clariant's explicit requirements also included the ability to support WAN and B2B applications from one exclusive vendor and to provide local support around the world.

After reviewing bids from a vast number of suppliers, Clariant has chosen a range of Infonet services over which to run their internal applications, and from which to build e-commerce applications. The service portfolio includes prioritized (QoS) intranet services in 45 sites in Europe and Asia together with a range of Internet services including premises based firewalls.

"Clariant reviewed over 25 bidders before deciding to choose Infonet. We were looking for a supplier that could address the issues we presently face and collaborate with us as our company and future networking requirements evolve. We were not convinced such a dynamic relationship could be realistically achieved using a multi-supplier approach," said Manfred Braml, CIO of Clariant. "At the same time, moving to a single source agreement demands both capabilities and a high degree of professionalism and maturity on the part of both the client and provider. With its multinational experience, expertise, global network and services, we feel Infonet is that partner."

Under the agreement, Infonet will provide a global end-to-end service to Clariant within its existing scope. Additionally, further requirements will enable the scope to be broadened to meet Clariant's worldwide growth connectivity needs.

Infonet will also be expected to deliver a seamless transition of the current services from Clariant's former provider and from other additional suppliers. Infonet will also explore the potential for cost savings and improved cost control. As part of this exercise Infonet will be deploying its Network Analysis Programme (NAP) engagement to ensure that Clariant is currently optimizing the Return on Investment (ROI) on their extensive SAP installation.

"We are pleased to provide our global network services to a dynamic and innovative company like Clariant," commented Joseph Nancoz, chief executive officer of Infonet Switzerland. "As Clariant continues to expand, the need to provide enhanced networking capabilities will also continue to accelerate. We look forward to addressing Clariant's telecommunications requirements and appreciate that they chose Infonet to deliver seamless communication services," he concluded.

Clariant -- Exactly your chemistry.

Clariant is a global leader in the production of fine and specialty chemicals with approximately 30,000 employees and annual sales of more than CHF 10 billion. The young company has grown out of the Chemicals division of Sandoz, which was floated on the stock market as a spin-off in the summer of 1995, and was extended significantly through the integration of the Hoechst specialty chemicals businesses in the summer of 1997.

Through the acquisition of the British fine chemicals producer BTP in early 2000 Clariant became a leading manufacturer of intermediates and active ingredients for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. The Group operates worldwide with more than 100 companies on five continents. It is domiciled and headquartered in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland.

The products and services of the six divisions Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals, Pigments & Additives, Masterbatches, Functional Chemicals, Life Science & Electronic Chemicals and Cellulose Ethers & Polymerisates are based on specialty chemicals that play a decisive role in the clients' manufacturing processes, and upgrade their end-products.

Clariant's work is successful due to the expertise of the staff members. The employees recognize the challenges the customers face, tailor the products to their exact specifications, and collaborate with them to come up with effective solutions: "Clariant -- Exactly your chemistry."

About Infonet

Infonet Services Corp. is a leading provider of value-added global communications services to multinational entities. Powering the enterprise-wide communications initiatives of more than 2,600 multinationals, Infonet provides a comprehensive portfolio of network-based solutions including Broadband, Internet, Intranet, MultiMedia, Remote Access, Local Access, Application Services and high-level consulting services.

Infonet's consultative approach features a unique service based on its patent pending tools that model and optimize the complex relationship between applications and the global network.

Winner of the World Communication Awards 2000 for "Best Customer Care" and "Best Carrier," Infonet owns and operates The World Network(R), accessible from more than 180 countries, and provides local service support in nearly 70 countries and territories.

Founded in 1970, Infonet's stock is traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol IN. Additional information about the company is available at www.infonet.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: Infonet may have made forward-looking statements in this release. These statements, if any, are based on information available to the company as of the date of this release and Infonet undertakes no duty to update the information to take account of later events. The accuracy of our forward-looking statements will also be affected by the strength of the market for Infonet products and services, competition, the timely transitioning of new business opportunities to Infonet's network and the effect of currency fluctuation. Investors should bear these risk factors in mind as well as those elaborated on in Infonet's 10K, 10-Qs and other recent filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available through the investor relations portion of Infonet's Web site at www.infonet.com.