HAYSTACK Online for Windows From IHS Achieves NMCI Certification.

Business Editors

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2003

Information Handling Services Inc. (IHS), the leading international provider of technical content solutions and services, has received Gold Disk level certification for HAYSTACK(R) Online for Windows from the NMCI/ISF/A & E Proving Center Lab as an enterprise-wide application for the Navy Marine Corp Intranet (NMCI). NMCI Gold Disk certification is the highest level of NMCI certification. It signifies that IHS is considered a tested and trusted source to provide critical parts and logistics data to the Navy and the Marine Corps in support of combat readiness and effectiveness. HAYSTACK Online is the only commercial parts and logistics application to gain this distinction.

The application criteria and testing procedures for achieving NMCI certification are extremely comprehensive and rigorous. In order to be considered for this certification, a service provider must first have a sponsor within the Navy that requests the product be certified. HAYSTACK Online received over 100 requests from Navy locations that use the service. HAYSTACK Online was put through the intensive NMCI Application Testing Process facilitated by Electronic Data Systems (EDS), a leading global information technology company. The process determines interoperability, successful execution, on-site functionality, information assurance, and system integrity. HAYSTACK Online 32-bit functionality and value-added enhancements such as shortcuts, multi-document interface, increased cross-referencing, and custom database groupings, successfully met all of NMCI requirements for enterprise electronic distribution.

NMCI is a secure enterprise-wide initiative that provides Navy personnel and Marines access to a full range of network-based information services in support of day-to-day and wartime activities. It provides pier-side connectivity to Naval vessels in port and links to more than 360,000 desktops across the United States, Puerto Rico, Iceland, and Cuba. By directive of the CNO Washington D.C., HAYSTACK Online has been placed on the approved Navy Standardized List for distribution to all sites.

"Having HAYSTACK Online certified to the Gold Disk allows Navy users everywhere to continue to access the most powerful logistics tool, from any Navy NMCI workstation. Since Gold Disk Certification is Navy-wide, local NMCI coordinators and IT Managers need not go through the entire laborious process for local Assumption Of Responsibility (AOR) efforts," says Dale Karraker, Director, Navy Programs - IHS. "This is a significant achievement and will save countless hours of testing and processing as more Commands engage in NMCI AOR."

NMCI will replace over 100 Department Of Navy (DON) data and communications networks with a seamless network owned and operated by a single contractor. With HAYSTACK Online desktop access, military personnel and commercial contractors have easy access 24 hours a day, from multiple locations, to the same logistics and parts information from over 40 military and related databases, including access to more than 100 million parts.

IHS products comply with U.S. DoD JTA (Joint Technical Architecture) and U.S. DISA (Defense Information Service Agency) standards. IHS is U.S. Air Force ACCIS (Air Combat Command Interim Security) accredited. In addition, IHS products comply with the U.S. FAR 508 Rehabilitation Act and are accessible to people with disabilities. IHS is an ISO 9001 registered company.

About IHS

With over $400 million in annual sales, Colorado-based IHS is the worldwide leader in developing and implementing engineering, technical, and regulatory information solutions for customers in over 90 countries. IHS produces comprehensive collections of technical standards, safety publications, design guidelines, vendor and logistics information, energy exploration, production knowledge and information, and software tools. IHS solutions include Internet/CD-ROM subscriptions, customized solutions such as information portals and systems integration; and individual standards and publications via the company's retail arm, Global Engineering Documents(R). The company employs more than 2,500 people worldwide and serves the vital information needs of customers across the world's technical, business, and professional sectors. If you require additional information on IHS and its products and services, visit www.ihs.com.