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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ecI Complies with OPEI EDI Implementation Recommendations

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA -- MARCH 2001 -- The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's (OPEI) EDI Committee has announced that after thorough study it encourages dealers, distributors, and manufacturers to consider ecI as a provider of EDI communications. ecI is an electronic commerce company based in Atlanta. This action was taken after confirmation that ecI is in full compliance with OPEI EDI Implementation Recommendations.

Regarding the need for dealers to be assured that a single system will meet all their communication needs, ecI makes it possible to provide OPEI standard EDI to any user regardless of whether they are an ecI customer. This allows dealers to engage in EDI with suppliers of any sort using the OPEI standards.

Regarding the OPEI recommendation concerning the use of OPEI standards, ecI has been very active with the committee in proving it can handle them, and is well versed in their use. This guarantees they can deliver files to anyone in the industry. In addition, they enable other formats if requested by specific customers.

In regard to the communications requirement for choice of either the Internet or a Value Added Network, ecI does use the Internet. It also has the ability to manage interconnects with major VANs and has all the capability needed to meet the OPEI requirement.

Finally, as to the requirement that its solutions be capable of integration with business management systems, ecI is in discussions with outdoor power equipment industry business system vendors to develop interfaces to their system that will allow automation of the EDI process. It is clear that this is possible at reasonable cost, and will offer full integration for dealers as the business systems evolve. ecI has integration agreements with business system vendors in other industries.

ecI is one of three electronic commerce companies to meet the requirements of the EDI Committee. The other vendors are ARI Network Services and ServiceBench.

About ecI -- ecI enables trading partners in the hardware and electronics industries to share information electronically. ecI's business solutions turn existing business relationships into a wired network, connecting internal business systems with those of trading partners. For more information contact Kris Panks at ecI (770) 613-8728. ecI¹s website is www.ecindx.com.

OPEI is a trade association whose membership is primarily composed of U.S. manufacturers of powered lawn and garden maintenance products, components and attachment supplies, as well as industry related services. OPEI's domestic members manufacture in excess of 95% of the U.S. consumer retail market for gas and electric powered lawn and garden maintenance products.

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