Claritas Inc. releases new version of Compass: System offers powerful integrated, industry-specific market analysis.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1996--Claritas Inc. has released Compass(TM) 2.0, the newest version of its Windows(TM)-based desktop marketing software, announced Claritas President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Dailey.

Unlike any other marketing analysis system available, Compass offers a powerful combination of industry-focused applications and tools (data access, analysis, targeting, and mapping capabilities), as well as full integration through its workbook interface.

"Compass was designed to deliver complete, flexible solutions that are specific to an industry and can be easily customized by the user," Dailey said. "This is not a `one-size-fits-all' system. If you're a bank, your Compass system is fluent in banking -- from data to applications.

"If you're a telecommunications company, your Compass system is built for the telco environment, and so on. Compass can meet all the marketing analysis, targeting, and mapping needs across a company's entire organization."

Compass features a powerful platform design, unsurpassed data resources, state-of-the-art analysis, and new tools and applications that make the system easy to use and customize. New wizards guide users quickly through functions like importing and target group creation.

Its workbook interface design automatically produces a report-, chart- and map-view of each market analysis. And all Compass data is map-ready and logically organized, eliminating time-consuming layering and joining.

Through its TargetWare option, Compass also becomes the only system with built-in targeting tools that can quickly identify, profile, and map customers and prospects. All of Claritas' segmentation systems work with TargetWare, including PRIZM, ClusterPlus 2000, P$YCLE, and industry-specific household-level Claritas Dimensions.

"We knew that people wanted a more easy-to-use desktop system that actually solves the problems of their industries, not one that provides information or analysis in a vacuum," said Brian Dearth, group vice president, product management. "Compass is the most intelligent, logical, and powerful system on the market."

With its high-powered data engine and area manager, Compass retrieves and displays data faster than any other system. It also features:

-- Embedded mapping. Compass is built to actually understand

geography, so creating perfect maps is easy. Customizable map

legends are created automatically for selected geographies, and

it's simple to add labels, landmarks, and more. -- Automatic reports and charts. Unlike GIS packages, users don't

have to search for boundaries and data files to make maps.

Compass' Data Manager organizes data in grouped folders, making

it easy to explore an entire database for any geographic area.

Users just select data, any area, and Compass automatically

displays the correct data as a report, chart or map. -- Custom macros. Users can quickly design applications or templates

to automate recurring tasks, such as sales presentations, field

packets, and branch reports. Jobs can also be sequentially

batched -- even for multiple applications for multiple areas or

data exports. -- New Wizards. Target Wizard allows users to quickly design custom

target groups and Import Wizard allows custom data to be easily

integrated.

Compass also has new querying capabilities, expanded user-defined application space, and a Copy `n Go feature that allows users to share resources like trade areas.

Compass can be installed for individual users or workstation LAN and enterprise installations. For more information on Compass, call 800-284-4868 or visit Claritas' home page at www.claritas.com.

Claritas Inc. is the nation's leading provider of precision marketing solutions, incorporating local-area demographics, marketing software, geographic information systems, and custom modeling and analysis. The company is a subsidiary of New York-based VNU Marketing Information Services.

CONTACT: Claritas Inc., Arlington

Kathleen Dugan, 703/812-2834 or

Patty Poston, 703/812-2728