Invacare Corporation Builds On Its Leadership e-Commerce Position With Opal, BroadVision Launches Through Early 2001.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2000

www.invacare.com redesigned; Invacare Pro offers more b-to-b

applications including Invacare's New On-Line Image Library

Invacare Corporation (NYSE:IVC), the global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative medical products which promote recovery and active lifestyles for those who require home or other non-acute health care, is building upon its leadership e-commerce position in the HME industry by providing personalized, customized shopping experiences at www.invacare.com, and at its complementary site for customers of Invacare Supply Group, at www.invacaresupplygroup.com.

Highlights of these initiatives include:

-- the recently completed launch of Opal, a graphical user interface that
enhances the ordering experience for Invacare's online direct order entry
system which is accessible through Invacare Pro, the company's
business-to-business site located within www.invacare.com;

-- the relaunch in late October 2000 of www.invacaresupplygroup.com based on
BroadVision's One-to-One Enterprise 5.0 Commerce package, to provide customers
with a personalized, dynamic online shopping experience;

-- the first-quarter 2001 relaunch of www.invacare.com based on the same
application, followed by similar upgrades for other division sites, including
Canada, Europe, and the Global Sales Division, by the end of 2001, to extend
the ease and efficiency of online purchasing to Invacare customers worldwide.

Together, these enhancements will offer HME providers significant convenience and time savings, not to mention confidence in the ordering process. Providers can access a wealth of product, pricing and inventory information in real time, creating a true one-stop shopping experience. They will be able to:

-- place orders in one simple step;

-- obtain quick, accurate, over-the-Internet price quotes and

product availability information;

-- provide consumers with accurate lead times and delivery times,

enabling the provider to set high service standards in their

markets;

-- enjoy the cost benefits associated with a simple, efficient

means of meeting all HME equipment and supply needs online.

The Opal launch in August enables visitors to www.invacare.com to enjoy the ease and convenience of a "point-and-click" graphical user interface supporting the site's web-enabled direct order entry system.

"The launch in August of Opal makes it easier for providers to place orders online with Invacare," said Steve Neese, vice president of e-commerce. "As a result of the improvements we've made through the implementation of Opal, we've already seen an increase in the number of visitors, an increase in the amount of time people spend using the system, and an increase in the number of orders being placed online."

In addition to the launch of Opal and resulting improvements in the online direct order entry system, Invacare has launched a new design to the entire web site, as well as to Invacare Pro. Invacare Pro allows registered Invacare customers to check product availability, account status, order history and contract status.

Invacare Pro users also have searchable access to Invacare's new On-Line Image Library which contains hundreds of Invacare product images, line drawings and logos in both low-resolution and hi-resolution file formats, for use in literature, advertisements, presentations and more. Visitors can download images while on-line, or, use the shopping cart function to collect images and place an order for a CD containing the selected images. In addition, Invacare Pro users can order a Web CD Collection which contains all Invacare product images in lo-res files designed specifically for use on their own web sites.

In addition to the launch of the On-Line Image Library, Invacare is introducing a web CD which has both images and content for Invacare(R) products with web-ready JPEG images and flat-file content. The content is taken directly from Invacare's on-line product catalog and contains product descriptions, features, benefits and technical specifications.

In late October, Invacare will re-launch www.invacaresupplygroup.com based on the powerful e-commerce package provided by BroadVision, Inc. Invacare Supply Group is Invacare's distributed products group, formerly known as Suburban Ostomy, based in Holliston, MA. Invacare plans to relaunch www.invacare.com with the BroadVision package during the first quarter of 2001.

With the upgrade, visitors to both the sites will experience a personalized, one-to-one site through dynamic, customized web pages. The package will support the extensive online product catalogs at both sites, in addition to other web-based content. A shopping cart function will enable HME provider-customers to conduct business transactions.

"Immediately, one of the most significant differences our customers will experience at www.invacaresupplygroup.com is the personalized content," Neese said. "For example, a provider who registers at the site and shows an interest in diabetic supplies will be greeted by name on the next visit and taken directly to diabetic supplies."

The BroadVision package also enables Invacare to offer providers information on other products related to their purchases. Providers can receive information regarding complementary products and/or products that have additional features and benefits. Medical professionals such as occupation and physical therapists, as well as consumers, will be offered similar personalized experiences as they visit and revisit the site.

In addition to personalized content and product recommendations, the upgraded sites will manage content, maintain shopping carts and order histories, and provide dynamic HTML to customize the shopping experience for visitors.

BroadVision, Inc. (Nasdaq:BVSN)(Neuer Markt:BDN.) is the leader in personalized e-business applications. BroadVision's comprehensive suite of integrated applications is built for delivery via the Web and wireless devices. Companies using BroadVision applications get to market quickly, launching innovative e-commerce, self-server and enterprise information sites. These sites enable personalized interactions and transactions with customers, partners, suppliers and employees. BroadVision One-to-One applications power innovative business-to-consumer and business-to-business exchanges for the world's top companies in financial services, telecommunications, retail and travel. BroadVision applications are available in more than 120 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Redwood City, CA, the company can be reached at [phone] or at http://www.businesswire.com/webbox/bw.061500/20172171.htm.

Invacare Corporation (NYSE:IVC) is the global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home medical products which promote recovery and active lifestyles through more than 25,000 providers. The company, which had 1999 revenues of $878 million, goes to market in the following channels of distribution: home care, mass retail and institutional. Within these channels of distribution, Invacare participates in the following product segments: Home Care, which includes rehab products, respiratory products, manual wheelchairs, home care beds, therapeutic support surfaces and personal care products marketed by Invacare's Home Care Group; Soft Goods and Supplies, which includes ostomy, incontinence, wound care and diabetic supplies marketed by Invacare Supply Group; and Institutional, which includes nursing home beds, patient lifts and slings, nursing home furniture and bathing systems marketed by Invacare Continuing Care Group. The company's headquarters are in Elyria, Ohio, and the firm has manufacturing plants in the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For more information about the company, visit Invacare's website at www.invacare.com.