Lyra Research, Inc., Appoints JDS Company Limited As New Japanese Sales Representative; Lyra, JDS Will Introduce Many New Lyra Services and Publications, Offer Consulting.

Business/Technology Editors

NEWTONVILLE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2000

On January 27, 2000, Lyra Research, Inc., appointed JDS Company Limited of Tokyo, Japan, as its new exclusive sales and marketing representative for Japan.

Announcing the new relationship, Charles LeCompte, founder and president of Lyra Research, said, &uot;We are very excited about our new relationship with JDS, and we anticipate strong expansion of our presence in the Japanese market with the assistance and expertise of JDS.&uot;

JDS Principal Akihisa Yamaguchi commented, &uot;We are extremely pleased to be representing Lyra Research in Japan. JDS has a long history of conducting the highest quality of consumer market research in Japan, and we, too, are excited about the prospects for Lyra Research's expansion in the Japanese marketplace.&uot;

Doug Sims, Lyra Research Vice President of Marketing and Sales, noted that JDS Company Limited boasts an extensive database, excellent industry contacts, and a thorough knowledge of the Japanese marketplace. &uot;The Japanese imaging industry is a very sophisticated group and requires suppliers that can communicate at their level and provide the kind of timely information that will help keep them competitive in today's global marketplace. JDS brings a new level of information savvy to the clients Lyra serves in the Japanese imaging industry,&uot; said Sims.

Formed in 1975 and operating as an independent enterprise since 1987, JDS Company's core businesses now include:

- the JNN Databank, which contains exclusive quantitative trend

data on Japan's consumer market. Every May and October, the

company randomly samples 3,500 people throughout Japan and

delivers the results to more than 100 Japanese enterprises. The

survey, conducted annually since 1971, acquires information on

the actual costs of owning certain consumer goods, how those

goods are used, and consumers' lifestyles; - Comprehensive Taste Survey, a quantitative status report on

Japanese tastes (life, leisure, mass communication, lifestyles)

started in 1975. More than 60 companies now participate in this

survey, which is conducted each October in Tokyo and Osaka; and - JNN Yong Research, focused on teenagers, conducts custom studies

and focus group research on issues such as PC use and the

prospects for digital cameras and color printer users in the

Japanese market.

Lyra Research, Inc. (www.lyra.com) is recognized worldwide as the leading provider of publications, market information, and custom research services focused on the imaging industry. Lyra now provides imaging industry market research, publications, advisory services, and consulting services to more than 2,000 customers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Since 1991, Lyra Research has published The Hard Copy Observer, the most authoritative publication covering the printer industry. In addition to the Observer, Lyra offers the following hard copy and online information services and publications that analyze hard copy peripherals and document production markets and technologies, as well as new opportunities emerging from the transition of hard copy to electronic copy: The Hard Copy Industry Advisory Service, The Hard Copy Supplies Advisory Service, The Digital Photography Advisory Service, The Hard Copy Industry Data Source, The Hard Copy Printer Evaluation Series, The Lyra Cost-per-Page Database, and The Hard Copy Supplies Journal. Lyra's Custom Research &Consulting Group performs customized research and studies for a broad range of imaging industry clients seeking help with their research, planning, or analysis efforts.