Alexandria, VA (August 19, 2003) – In conjunction with the launch of UCCnet interoperability and the upgrade of its WorldWide Item Management Solution (WIM) 2.0, WWRE has appointed Cindy Cruzado as Global Director of WIM Strategy.

In this new role, created in response to quickly increasing adoption of global item management among WWRE members, Cruzado will drive future strategy for WIM. She will serve as a liaison between the WWRE and industry standards groups and act as a consultative resource to WWRE members and trading partners who wish to link to WIM as their single point of access to the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN).

“With more than 25 members from around the world committed to implementing our item management solution in the next year, this area is critical for our business and the industry at large,” said Sally Herbert, Chief Commercial Officer for the WWRE. “In her new role, Cindy will be acutely focused on the success of item management for these members, working closely with them, their trading partners, and other industry leaders to ensure that the WIM solution meets the evolving needs of the global retail/CPG industry.”

One way WWRE is leading the way for the retail industry toward a global industry solution to item management is through the expansion of connectivity with local catalog providers. Well on its way towards its goal of working with 13 local catalog providers by year-end, the WWRE’s most recent implementations include three European-based catalog providers.

Previously, Cruzado spent three years as the Product Director for WIM, during which time she developed the initial product strategy and roadmap, built the development and implementation teams, formed over 10 alliances with complementary solutions providers, lead the implementation of industry standards, and launched interoperability with UCCnet. She has more than 17 years of data management experience spanning several industry verticals. During her career she has been involved in pioneering several solutions and has successfully delivered more than 35 product releases.

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 64 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 $1 billion through the use of online negotiations, its first product offering. For more information, visit the website at www.wwre.org or www.worldwideretailexchange.org.