Companies now can publish catalogs simultaneously to paper, the Internet, and CD-ROM using a single database; two companies form technology alliance; Office Depot is first to use new system.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1995--Pindar Systems Inc. and Interactive Catalog Corp. today unveiled a system that allows companies to publish catalogs to virtually any medium paper, the Internet, CD-ROM, or future new media using a single database.

The announcement was made at the Seybold Conference and Exposition held at Moscone Center.

"You create a single database of product information, just once, and then use it in the media of your choice," said Steven Auslander, vice president, Pindar Systems. "It saves time, money and labor. The single database also helps ensure data accuracy and consistency in messaging."

"The system bridges the gap between traditional paper catalogs and new media," said Craig Danuloff, president and CEO, Interactive Catalog Corp. "Publishers are anxious to expand their catalog distribution to the Internet and CD-ROM, and now they can do that quickly and cost-effectively all from a single source of data."

Office Depot, the world's largest office products retailer, is the first to use the technology. In response to rising customer demand, the company is supplementing its paper catalog with an Internet version, which will be on-line within a few months.

The technology links two database products: Pindar's Catalog Management System and Interactive Catalog Corp.'s iCattm Electronic Commerce Toolkit, a catalog publishing system for the Internet, CD-ROM and future interactive platforms. Pindar's Catalog Management System speeds up production of catalogs and other print communications by combining a powerful 4th Dimension database with QuarkXPress.

The iCat Electronic Commerce Toolkit combines the same database with a graphical user interface and can deliver catalogs to any interactive platform. When linked, the products create a powerful tool for the efficient and cost-effective production of catalogs print or new media.

Pindar Systems is based in Tucson, Ariz. The company was established in 1995 to provide database publishing systems to the U.S. market. Its parent company, Pindar plc, was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in Scarborough, England.

Always an early adopter of technology, the company operated one of the first photo-typesetting businesses in England in the 1960s, began providing desktop publishing system integration services to customers in the 1980s, and in the past five years developed database-driven publishing software.

Interactive Catalog Corp. was founded in 1993 to provide companies with the new media tools they need to compete effectively in the global marketplace. Based in Seattle, a leading center for interactive technology development, the company's mission is to deliver the world's best electronic commerce tools and services.

CONTACT: Pindar Systems Inc.

Steven Auslander, 520/323-9500

Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]

or

Interactive Catalog Corp.

Jeanne Miller, 206/521-6324

Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]

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