XML Standard for Retail Shown at NRF Annual Conference
Technology Pilot Features AccessVia Technology and CEO

SEATTLE, January 12, 2001-The first public demonstration of IXRetail, International XML for Retail, takes place Sunday, January 14 at the National Retail Federation annual show. Dean Sleeper, CEO of AccessVia and Chair of the IXRetail Price Work Team, delivers part of the presentation.

"An XML standard for retailers is essential in the new multi-channel environment," says Sleeper. "acquiring accurate price data so registers, signs, labels, kiosks, price verification systems and others applications are all synchronized has been complicated, slow and costly in the past. The IXRetail effort will lead to greater interoperability with reduced integration costs and timeframes."

The demonstration shows how retail systems can use standardized XML messages to facilitate cross-platform, multi-vendor integration. "Many retail applications must know what the current price is for an item. Today most of these systems learn about price in different ways which is fundamentally prone to inaccuracy. Another challenge in the new multi-channel retail environment is keeping track of product availability when you're selling in stores, on the web, on phones, etc. Retailers need a way for every selling system to post a transaction and know that inventory, customer information, financials or any other system can be aware of it in real-time." says Dr. Daniel Rawsthorne, chief architect at AccessVia. "AccessVia's software is shown in the pilot using IXRetail message sets to communicate with other vendors' applications running on 3 different operating systems and then rendering synchronized customer communications to a PocketPC mobile shopper, a free-standing kiosk, and a wireless sign printer as well as positing real-time inventory updates."

Long the leading provider of data-driven sign solutions-top retailers such as Walgreens and Target use the company's dSIGN Sign and Label Printing product-newly renamed AccessVia is pursuing an ambitious, multi-channel approach to retail customer communication. "We deliver solutions for retailers to speak to their customers at all touch points so the ability to integrate with other retail systems and data stores is essential. Frankly, retailers pay too much money for too little flexibility when it comes to such integration today. XML standards for retail are an essential component of the multi-channel retailer's ability to execute," says Sleeper.

The Association for Retail Technology Standards (ARTS) of the National Retail Federation is a retailer-driven membership organization dedicated to creating an international, barrier-free technology environment for retailers. Established in 1993, ARTS provides industry standards designed to maximize the ability to implement change while minimizing cost for retailers

The IXRetail demonstration takes place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on Sunday January 14 from 1:00 - 3:15 in Room IE-16. More information about ARTS and IXRetail is available from www.nrf.com.

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AccessVia customers include Bed Bath and Beyond, Kroger, LCBO, Petco, Safeway, Staples, SUPERVALU, Target, Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

About AccessVia, Inc.
AccessVia takes retailers beyond price point to a place where they can truly connect with customers at the moment of choice. Smart consumers expect more than flashing lights and red type. The new consumer requires new messaging.

AccessVia Consumer Messaging Optimization Services help you to envision that future and make it happen. Seasoned retail professionals, armed with best practices, industry benchmarks and new ideas, work with your team to transform your consumer messaging effectiveness and efficiency. AccessVia Publishing Platform solutions provide the software tools to extend your retail brand promise to the Last Mile – where the customer chooses to browse or buy.

Create new business processes for the future then manage your publishing systems with software being used today by Global 500 companies in over 40,000 retail stores. Take your customers beyond price point with AccessVia.

For more information contact:
Gaylene C. Meyer
Public Relations Manager, AccessVia
206.285.4994 x150