ATLANTA, September 9, 2003 — Inovis, a provider of business commerce automation solutions, and EFS Network, the premier foodservice supply chain solution company, announced today they have partnered to deliver AS2 technology to the foodservice industry. The partnership aims to provide easier, faster and more efficient transactions at a lower cost for any size foodservice customer. The deal calls for preferred pricing on the award-winning IPNet BizManager line of products for EFS Network customers. Pricing details were not disclosed.

With more than 230 market-leading customers including Hormel Foodservice, McCain Foods, Nestlé Foodservice, Performance Food Group, Schwan’s Food Service Group, Sysco Corp. and Domino’s Pizza, EFS Network has quickly become a trusted technology leader in the $411 billion foodservice industry. “The value we have already achieved through EFS Network is significant, and I’m pleased they continue to identify new ways to improve supply chain efficiencies for their customers,” said Lil Schroeder, vice president of operations for Schwan’s Food Service. “EFS Network’s partnership with Inovis adds significant incremental value by providing a single gateway for all our e-commerce needs.” 

EFS Network has successfully implemented the IPNet BizManager technology to serve as a hub for AS2 connectivity for their member base. EFS Network’s products and services coupled with IPNet’s market leading AS2 solution allows foodservice suppliers and distributors to securely exchange purchase orders, advance ship notices, invoices, catalogs and other documents with their customers using a single gateway. The BizManager set of tiered solutions, composed of BizLink™, BizManager400™, BizConnect™ and BizWeb™, satisfies the connectivity and transport needs for enterprises ranging from large companies to small and medium sized suppliers. BizManager products support any document type using any transport protocol, providing the flexibility necessary for a diverse range of customers, distributors and suppliers.

“The foodservice industry is highly competitive and margins are tightly managed,” said Hank Lambert, CEO, EFS Network. “EFS continually strives to improve efficiency and drive costs out of our customers’ supply chains using strategic technology that’s easy to use and implement.” 

“EFS Network, with its unique and deep insight into the foodservice industry and strong customer focus, is an ideal partner for us,” commented Michael J. Simmons, president of the IPNet business unit. “Through this partnership, EFS customers will not only be able to leverage their BizManager solution to securely transact with other EFS Network members, but they can also use it to meet the AS1 and AS2 requirements of any number of retailers such as Wal-Mart.”

About EFS Network 
EFS Network, Inc. is the premier supply chain solution company in the $411 billion foodservice industry. EFS has developed the market’s leading software application and integration network for enabling inter-enterprise automation of foodservice trading partners’ purchase order-to-invoice processes, and will offer an industry-wide contract and rebate management system in the coming months. Among EFS Network’s loyal customer base are manufacturers, distributors, operators and brokers in all product categories: produce, branded products, commodities, center-of-the-plate, seafood, equipment, and supplies. EFS Network has earned the trust and confidence of more than 230 market-leading foodservice companies including Cargill, Domino’s Pizza, H.J. Heinz, Land O’ Lakes, Perdue, Procter & Gamble and Tyson. EFS’ distributor customers include Ben E. Keith Company, BiRite Foodservice, Bunn Capitol, Dot Foods, Food Services of America, Harker’s, Martin Brothers, Mattingly, Performance Food Group, Ritz Foodservice, SYSCO, Wasserstrom and other major distributors, representing over $40 billion of buying power and 200 distributor locations. 

About Inovis 
Inovis™, Inc. helps companies to rapidly and cost-effectively implement business commerce automation solutions that facilitate efficient trading with customers and suppliers. With almost 20 years of experience and more than 20,000 customers, the company provides a complete line of software, managed services and professional services that enable companies to gain compliance with leading industry trading communities and standards. Inovis acquired IPNet Solutions in July 2003, adding to its product and service portfolio a comprehensive line of flexible and secure INT/EDI solutions. These solutions are certified eBusinessReady in AS1, AS2, CPFR and ebXML by the Uniform Code Council Inc. (UCC) and the Drummond Group Inc. (DGI).