ESRI Inc. Acquires RWE Shares in SICAD UTILITIES

SICAD will develop power supply utility solutions based on ArcGIS

Eschborn / Munich / Redlands (USA), October 17, 2002 - ESRI Inc., Redlands (USA), has acquired 49% of the shares of SICAD Utilities GmbH (SICAD UTILITIES), a subsidiary of SICAD Geomatics GmbH & Co. oHG (SICAD GEOMATICS), Munich, from RWE Systems Applications GmbH, Eschborn, Germany. ESRI and RWE Systems Applications have signed the relevant agreement.
Through SICAD UTILITIES, AED-SICAD and ESRI will now work together to develop information systems for the utility industry. Now that ESRI Inc. has come on board, SICAD UTILITIES will offer users in-depth application and industry know-how based on ArcGIS, ESRI's world-leading GIS base technology.

With its shareholding in SICAD UTILITIES, ESRI is increasing its focus on the utility industry segment in Europe. The extensive knowledge of the internationally successful application for utilities SICAD-UT will be utilized to create a next generation utility standard solution based on ESRI�s technology. In addition, the existing product portfolio of SICAD UTILITIES will be maintained and developed on a customer-specific basis for at least five to seven years.

ESRI�s shareholding in SICAD UTILITIES means a substantial strengthening of the AED-SICAD company group. As a market leader in the geoinformation market, the company group can provide a high level of investment security for existing and potential users of solutions from SICAD UTILITIES. The involvement of ESRI and the planned innovations will enable customers to take a long-term view and will give them the security they need to plan, use and modernize their systems.

Jack Dangermond, President of ESRI Inc.:
"Utility companies are using geographic information systems to increase their efficiency through the productivity gains that can be made through improved processes in network management and maintenance. ESRI, as the leading GIS software developer, and SICAD UTILITIES with its excellent knowledge of the industry can now jointly offer these efficiency benefits from a single source � a major service to all users."

Dr. Thomas Englert, CEO of AED-SICAD:
"This strategic relationship with ESRI supports and promotes our greater focus on applications and solutions in two ways. First, ArcGIS is an excellent basis for application development. Second, by using this platform we will be able to concentrate even more on supporting the business processes of our customers. Integration of ESRI base technology in the next generation of our utilities applications represents a significant opportunity for our customers and us that we fully intend to take."

Company profiles:

ESRI

For more than 30 years, ESRI has been the leading developer of geographic information system (GIS) software with more than 300,000 clients worldwide. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services. In addition to its headquarters in California, ESRI has regional offices throughout the United States, international distributors in more than 90 countries, and more than 1,400 business partners. ESRI's goal is to provide users with comprehensive tools to help them quickly and efficiently manage and use geographic information to make a real difference in the world around them.

SICAD UTILITIES

SICAD UTILITIES GmbH (SICAD UTILITIES) develops standard applications and solutions for supply companies and communities in Germany and Europe. Since the joint venture with RWE was established in 1999, SICAD GEOMATICS has held 51% of the shares. RWE Systems Applications (formerly ifs) until recently held 49% of the shares in SICAD UTILITIES.

SICAD UTILITIES offers SICAD-UT-X applications for electricity, gas, water, district heating and sewerage, other applications for planning networks, linking to ERP systems and evaluating network information, the basic map of SICAD GEOMATICS and NIS/SICAD-FRAME. With the development of turnkey standard applications and the implementation of customized project solutions, SICAD UTILITIES is integrating and setting the standards for the supply industry. Users in international multi-utility service providers, regional supply companies, municipal authorities and communities benefit from best-in-class products for the world market.

SICAD GEOMATICS

SICAD Geomatics GmbH & Co. oHG (SICAD GEOMATICS) has its headquarters in Munich, Germany, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of AED Graphics AG, Bonn. It employs more than 180 people throughout the world. In addition to operating its own sales centers, SICAD GEOMATICS uses the sales channels of Leica Geosystems AG, Siemens AG and other renowned GIS sales and solutions partners.

The product of the same name, SICAD, is one of the world's leading geographical information systems, particularly for large infrastructure projects. Its core segments are surveying offices, local and municipal authorities, supply enterprises, public utilities and property companies. SICAD focuses on the management of geo data within enterprise-wide processes and provides standard applications for a wide range of sectors. 17 language versions with a total value of more than EUR 500 million have already been installed worldwide.

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