TradeCard To Give Suppliers Easy Access to Latest AS2 Technology
Transaction parties for the first time can communicate by using different standard

New York, January 22, 2004 - TradeCard Inc., the financial supply chain services provider, today announced technology that will allow buyers and suppliers to communicate with each other regardless of the standards each uses, via TradeCard's Web platform. As more retailers - most notably Walmart - ask suppliers to communicate via AS2 over the Internet, the problem of varying standards has become critical. By supporting the latest messaging standards, such as AS2, as well as legacy communication methods like EDI VANs and FTP, TradeCard's Web platform will remove complicated IT issues for both buyers and suppliers, especially smaller ones.

With the TradeCard system, buyers and suppliers can use different connectivity technologies whilst communicating with each other, with TradeCard providing the translation between the two standards. This means that suppliers can continue to use older technologies (e.g. FTP, more basic EDI, or simple Internet browsers) for communication with their buyers, even if the buyers are larger companies which are already AS2-enabled.

In an April 2003 Report, AMR Research stated that with regards to EDIINT AS2 products "for most manufacturers, the decision quickly moves beyond complying with one customer's demands to preparing for the next retailer to most likely ask for or require EDIINT AS2". Acting fast in adopting AS2 is a clear advantage and TradeCard corporate members who already use its Internet-based connectivity and transaction technology can easily access TradeCard's AS2 conversion service. At the same time, TradeCard helps its supplier members to stay connected with their customers who use AS2 without forcing the supplier to adopt AS2 as well.

The majority of suppliers in Asia, the world's manufacturing powerhouse, are small to medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). In Taiwan, for example, the number of SMEs amounts to around one million and in Hong Kong, according to the SME Information Center, there were 230,000 in June 2003. The majority of TradeCard supplier members fall into this category.

Most of these smaller companies have many different system requests from powerful customers but do not always have the time or resources to accommodate all these requests. These suppliers are looking for solutions that enable them to deal with the many varied systems through a single and consistent interface - this is what TradeCard can offer them, especially in light of the new integration with AS2.

The benefits of using AS2 include:

• Decreased Value-Added Network (VAN) charges
• Near real-time communication for sending documents, such as advanced shipping notice, purchase order and invoices
• Increased security for the messages being sent, including non-repudiation and message notification

To compete in an environment where keeping costs down is critical, companies can realize the following benefits from using TradeCard's financial supply chain and trade automation services combined with AS2 ability:

• Cost-savings: TradeCard's workflow automation enables both buyers and sellers to cut back on paper- processing costs and laborious manual processes. AS2 adds faster trading partner connectivity at lower communication cost.
• Shipment consolidation and supply chain visibility: By giving buyers and shippers complete visibility into their supply chain, companies know when shipments are set to occur and can plan accordingly. With added AS2 capabilities, documents can be exchanged even faster, so that problems such as delivery of goods at destination before the paperwork has arrived, no longer occur.

"In today's world, trading partner connectivity is key and can make all the difference between goods sold and sales lost due to late or incorrect delivery of data. The wide variety of connectivity options available adds to the complexity of integrating a buyer's ERP system with their respective trading partner's systems", says Nestor Zwyhun, chief technology officer for TradeCard, Inc. "Every few years, the latest holy grail of how to fix this problem is introduced. The common thread across these solutions has been that each side of the transaction must use the same connectivity technology. TradeCard breaks this requirement and allows each side of a transaction to choose whatever technology is best for them. For example, a buyer can use AS2 while the seller can use a simple web browser to collaborate on the same transaction. TradeCard helps customers to adapt to new connectivity technologies such as AS2, without pain or disruption since the trading partners can convert at their own pace from old to new technology. Existing systems remain unchanged so operations can continue as normal."

About TradeCard
TradeCard, the leading Financial Supply Chain services provider is revolutionizing global trade with a web- based platform that automates the financial processes in supply chains that have been plagued with decades-old paper- based solutions. By using TradeCard, buyers and sellers can manage their transactions with complete visibility to initial orders through final settlements. TradeCard's global network of partners provides additional automated services on the platform including supply chain financing, credit protection, money movement and inspection. In addition to process improvements, customers realize immediate cost savings, optimized cash flow, reduced reliance on credit lines and improved supply chain relationships. Headquartered in New York City, TradeCard, Inc. has offices in San Francisco, Hong Kong, Brussels, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo and Shenzhen. TradeCard is a registered trademark in the United States and elsewhere throughout the world. TradeCard is located online at www.tradecard.com.

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