Identix and Sylvan Learning Systems Agree to Form Joint Venture to Provide Fingerprint Services.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1997--Identix Inc. (ASE:IDX) Tuesday announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Baltimore-based Sylvan Learning Systems (Nasdaq/NM:SLVN) to form a joint venture company that will provide fingerprint services at Sylvan Learning Systems locations around the United States for a variety of potential users.

According to the announcement by Identix Chairman, President & CEO Randall C. Fowler, the companies anticipate that they will sign a definitive agreement within 30 days. Terms of the letter of intent and the joint venture company were not disclosed.

Fowler commented, "There are several million fingerprint cards generated each year in the United States for 'civilian' purposes. As an example, most employees of financial services firms, such as stock brokers, bank employees, fund managers and research analysts are fingerprinted. The same is true of federal and state government employees, public transportation employees, foster parents and child care workers. This joint venture will provide clean, comfortable and convenient fingerprint services via Identix live-scan systems in Sylvan Learning Systems locations. This will allow workers to fulfill requirements for fingerprints without the difficulties and inconvenience often associated with reporting to a police precinct, as the majority of people do today. Prices are expected to be in line with today's police-located services."

Fowler said that Identix will subcontract to the joint venture company the fingerprint services currently being provided by its Fingerprint Services Division in Illinois (under statewide contract). He said that the companies expect to provide additional fingerprint services in additional states and under similar agreements in the future.

Fowler added that the joint venture company expects to initiate a multi-office pilot program in Sylvan Learning Systems locations for a national regulatory group.

Sylvan Learning Systems is the leading provider of educational services to families, schools and industry. It delivers computer-based testing for academic admissions, as well as for professional licensure and certification programs at more than 1,300 testing centers through its Sylvan Prometric division. The company traditionally is known for the network of more than 640 Sylvan Learning Centers that provide personalized instructional services to students of all ages and skill levels. Also, Sylvan provides educational services under contract to public and non-public school systems through the Sylvan Contract Educational Services division, and will provide adult professional education and training through the Caliber Learning Network Inc.

Identix is a leader in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing products for the capture and/or comparison of fingerprints for security, anti-fraud, law enforcement and other applications. The company's subsidiaries and divisions include: ANADAC/Government Services Group, a provider of information technology, engineering, systems integration and consulting services to government and commercial entities; Biometric Applications and Technology Inc., which develops and markets biometric and "smart" card software applications and solutions; Identification Services Division, a supplier of contract services for employee and applicant screening and other personal identification applications; and Identix/Australia, a manufacturer and integrator of commercial, financial and industrial biometric verification systems.

The statements in this news release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to entering into a definitive agreement as discussed in this news release, customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the company's products and services and other risks identified in the company's SEC filings.

Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT: Allen & Caron Inc.

Damon Wright (investors) or Owen Daley (media),

714/252-8440