Information Resources Creates Industry First With Internet Delivery of Complete Consumer Behavior Data.

Issue: July 23, 1999

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 1999--

For the first time, consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers can now receive virtually all of their consumer behavior data via the Internet from Information Resources, Inc. (IRIC on NASDAQ). By introducing a Web-enabled version of Oracle Sales Analyzer (OSA), the industry's leading analytic tool, and enhancing its InSite Reporting service, IRI is providing faster access, and easier, wider distribution of essential market intelligence throughout its clients' organizations.

"Understanding consumer behavior is a competitive necessity in the CPG industry," said Ross Blair, IRI executive vice president. "Not only do our clients have more rapid and efficient access to our full complement of marketplace information, but they can also broaden its usage as easily as forwarding e-mail."

Jim Hea, brand development manager of Odom's Tennessee Pride Sausage, a breakfast-sausage company, commented: "On our first day with InSite, one of our regional managers easily connected to reports on dollar sales per point of distribution via the Internet. He got information on substitution analysis, used it in a sales presentation and sold extra cases to his client the same day."

"We are committed to harnessing the power of technology to streamline the development, distribution and sales of our clients' products. Our new Internet delivery systems are revolutionizing this process," added Blair.

The custom-designed Oracle Sales Analyzer is the primary delivery and analytical tool utilized by thousands around the world to access and analyze IRI's industry-leading InfoScan database containing both store and household panel data. The latest version of this powerful tool, OSA 6.2.1, makes this power available to any employee with an Internet browser.

The Insite Reporting Service now automates presentation capabilities in Microsoft PowerPoint as well as Excel reports, using the Internet to deliver a wide range of business-focused expert reports. Drawing on both InfoScan and data from IRI's Shoppers' Hotline 55,000 household multi-outlet panel, InSite Reporting provides just the right information, to the right users, timed to their individual usage needs. Since it was launched late last year, more than 6,000 individual sales and marketing professionals at 50 leading consumer packaged goods firms now use InSite Reporting to make timely, fact-based decisions.

Several of IRI's other proven tools have also migrated to the Internet. ReviewNet provides Internet access to the detailed information on the sales of hundreds of categories and thousands of brands contained in the InfoScan Reviews database. In addition, the newest version of Apollo, the leading space management software product, delivers three-dimensional planograms via the Internet.

Information Resources, Inc. is a leading provider of UPC scanner-based business solutions to the consumer packaged goods industry, offering services in the U.S., Europe and other international markets. The Company supplies CPG manufacturers, retailers and brokers with information and analysis critical to their sales, marketing and supply chain operations. IRI provides services designed to deliver value through an enhanced understanding of the consumer to a majority of the Fortune 500 companies in the CPG industry.