Cary, NC, Aug. 6, 2002 -
BridgePoint, Inc. (www.bridge-point.com), the leading provider of global, multimode supply chain visibility announced today that it has been selected by The WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE), the premier Internet-based business-to-business exchange in the retail e-marketplace, to provide global supply chain connectivity, visibility and data quality services to its members and in-turn their trading partners. The announcement coincides with the signing of an alliance that enables the WWRE to offer BridgePoint’s supply chain visibility services to its members and their trading partners.

Through the alliance agreement, WWRE member companies can gain access to critical status information for scheduled inbound, outbound and in-transit shipments moving on any mode of transportation globally. This information will be collected using BridgePoint’s existing trading partner network and retail-focused business model that will be tailored specifically for WWRE members by BridgePoint and the WWRE.

“By deploying our proven retail business model, the WWRE can deploy this solution to dramatically accelerate the financial benefit each member receives from the exchange,” says Stephanie Miles, general manager at BridgePoint. “This approach leverages the synergies between BridgePoint’s retail solution and the WWRE’s other services.”

BridgePoint’s solution includes a private logistics trading partner network that will simplify the collection, validation, interpretation and aggregation of data from suppliers, carriers, freight forwarders and other partners from around the world. As a part of the WWRE® WorldWide Trade Logistics solution, BridgePoint will extend these services to Exchange members and will then manage this network, utilizing its data quality engines to power the overall solution. BridgePoint’s other services including order and product tracking, alerts, exceptions and analytical reporting will also be offered by the WWRE as part of this service offering.

“BridgePoint’s ability to demonstrate a successful data management solution was a critical decision factor in entering into this alliance,” said Colin Dyer, CEO at the WWRE. “Their ability to automate the collection and validation of data from numerous, global sources clearly sets them apart from all other providers.”

Immediately available, the joint solution offering reinforces the commitment of both the WWRE and BridgePoint to provide measurable financial benefits through supply chain efficiency. Value for customers include:

• Reduced network creation costs.
• Accelerated order delivery and improved cycle times.
• Lower inventory and transportation costs.
• Improved customer service.
• Decreased technology investment.
• Improved supplier and carrier coordination.
  

About BridgePoint
BridgePoint, a division of CSX Corporation, is headquartered in the Research Triangle Community of North Carolina’s Raleigh/Durham area. They are the premier provider of global, multimode supply chain visibility solutions with solutions that enable companies to streamline the delivery of product internationally by better coordinating the activities of partners, systems and resources across any corporate function or mode of transportation. The result is the dramatic acceleration of product through the supply chain, the reduction of days of inventory and the elimination of costs in the areas of customer service, order financing and product distribution.

About the WWRE®
The WWRE is the premier Internet-based business-to-business exchange for retailers and suppliers. Designed to facilitate and simplify trading between retailers, suppliers, partners and distributors, the WWRE currently consists of 62 members from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America with combined sales of approximately U.S. $900 billion. To date, the WWRE has saved its members over $495 million through the use of online negotiations, its first product offering. For more information, visit the website at www.wwre.org or www.worldwideretailexchange.org

For more information, contact
Ken Pikulik
BridgePoint Inc.
200 Lucent Lane
Cary, NC 27511

919.468.3432
ken_pikulik@bridge-point.com