The WorldWide Retail Exchange Leads the Retail Industry in Executing the GCI Vision for Data Synchronization.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2004

The WWRE WorldWide Item Management (WIM) Solution is the First

Global Source and Recipient Data Pool Fully Aligned with

the Current EAN.UCC Standards For Data Synchronization

The WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE), the premier Internet based business-to-business exchange for retailers and suppliers, announces the launch of Version 3.0 of the WWRE(R) WorldSYNC(TM) WIM solution, powered by i2 technologies. WIM 3.0 represents a significant milestone in the WWRE's efforts to drive deeper adoption of industry standards and streamline the implementation of global data synchronization.

"Walgreens recognizes the leading position the WWRE has built through its global vision and offering and has chosen the Exchange as the preferred partner for Data Synchronization," says Trent Taylor, CIO of Walgreens. "Walgreens is on a fast track to Data Synchronization and WIM offers us the best solution. It enables us to exchange more than just standards based information - with the WWRE we can go beyond standards and share data unique to our suppliers."

"The WWRE is now the first licensed user in North America of the EAN.UCC Global Product Classification Schema, the official schema used by the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)," noted Sally Herbert, CCO of the WWRE. "Because of our continued focus on implementing the most up-to-date standards, provisioning of best practices, and shared industry knowledge, the WWRE WIM solution enables companies to adopt GDS faster, helping our members to overcome the inevitable challenges of implementation. Members can more rapidly realize the value - achieving a level of synchronization with the largest connected GDS community in the industry today."

Features of WWRE WorldSYNC:

WIM 3.0

-- Compliant with the EAN.UCC Business Requirements Document 7.3

-- Complete Support for GDSN Phase 1 XML Messages

-- UCCnet 2.2.3 certified and fully aligned with UCCnet Release

2.3

-- New Graphical User Interface for automated subscription and

publication

-- New Enhanced Data Model (Pharmacy, entertainment, electronics,

appliances, and Hardlines)

-- 18 Data Pool connections globally in North America, South

America, Europe, and Asia

Accreditation Academy

The WWRE Accreditation Academy is a one-stop-shop education and implementation facility, set up by the WWRE to enable suppliers to execute collaborative commerce for any trading partner. To date over 20 retailers and 165 unique suppliers have chosen the WWRE as their direct connect data pool of choice.

-- WorldSYNC(TM) courses and implementation seminars on the

Academy prepare suppliers for synchronization with any

retailer they do business with, in addition to registering the

suppliers' items with the Global Registry

-- The Academy caters to all sizes of suppliers with prices

beginning at $100 per year to use the service for

synchronization

WorldSYNC Partner Program

WWRE has established the WorldSYNC Partner Program to execute end-to-end synchronization with technology providers that develop WIM-compatibility into their product offerings. This partner network offers WWRE users with a family of providers to choose from, as well as the flexibility of bringing their own preferred technology partners to link to WIM. WorldSYNC partners such as Velosel provide out-of-the-box solutions that make WIM implementation more efficient and speed the return on investment to customers. The WorldSYNC Partner Program includes providers in areas such as Product Information Management (PIM), Integration (EAI and B2B), Data Quality and Professional Services.

"The WWRE recognizes not only the industry's need for a working solution, based on industry standards, but also the need for a clear and pragmatic roadmap on how an individual organization can participate and best take advantage of the evolving Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)," says Jimmy Kim, Product Director of WorldWide Item Management. "WWRE WorldSYNC, including: WIM 3.0, the Accreditation Academy, the WorldSYNC(TM) Partner Network, and existing connectivity with 17 Local Catalog Providers provides fast, flexible support for the adoption of global standards and implementation of GDS."

About the WWRE(R)

The WWRE(R) is the premier Internet-based business-to-business exchange for retailers and suppliers. Designed to facilitate and simplify trading between manufacturers, retailers and suppliers, the WWRE(R) currently consists of 64 members from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America with combined sales of approximately U.S. $900 billion. To date, the WWRE(R) has saved its members over $1.5 billion. For more information, visit the website at www.wwre.org or www.worldwideretailexchange.org.