Major Ocean Industry Initiative for Booking and Tracking Freight is Now
Shipping

OCEAN Software Provides EDI Access to Nine of the World's Largest Carriers

Wilton, CT, May 8, 1995.. OCEAN, the new Windows-based system for ocean
freight booking and tracking, is now shipping to exporters and importers
throughout the U.S. Using OCEAN, international transportation customers
now are able to conduct business electronically through a common user
interface with nine of the world's largest ocean carriers.

OCEAN (Ocean Carriers' Electronic Access Network) was developed by TSI
International based on specifications of the Information Services
Agreement (ISA), a consortium of ocean carriers formed in 1991 to improve
the flow of information for the maritime industry and its customers. The
widespread use of X12 EDI standards for electronic business is a major ISA
objective.

ISA members include American President Lines, Crowley Maritime,
Hapag-Lloyd, Lykes Lines, Maersk, Nedlloyd, OOCL, P&O Containers, and
Sea-Land. The nine ISA carriers comprise a fleet of over 300 container
vessels and own more than 700,000 containers. They operate in over 200
ports and serve more than 40 percent of all global shipping customers.

OCEAN is the first implementation of a complete EDI application on a broad
scale within any industry. It is also the first time competing carriers
have adopted a common solution for their customers, one which can be used
interchangeably to conduct business with any ISA member.

Unlike conventional EDI implementations, OCEAN is an integrated application
for managing shipping activity. ISA customers can make bookings, exchange
shipping documentation, and track shipments from a standard desktop PC.
OCEAN is also affordable, with the basic package costing less than
$2,000.

The ISA expects this new offering to have a significant impact in
furthering ISA's goals for increased automation. "OCEAN will meet
shippers' needs by helping them better manage information -- at a reduced
cost," said ISA Chairman, Jeff Dickerson. "Specifically, this software
will enable ISA member carriers to give our customers faster, more
accurate shipment information by providing a common standard for
information exchange."

With OCEAN, exporters and importers, regardless of size, are able to access
information and initiate business transactions in a manner that previously
had been available only to larger ocean freight customers. OCEAN customers
also benefit by having an electronic business connection to ISA carriers
on a 24-hour basis.

OCEAN provides an easy-to-use graphical interface and a built-in database
for managing shipment transactions. All of the complexities associated
with EDI are hidden from view. Communications support is pre-built and
pre-tested to assure reliable, trouble-free electronic trading.

In addition to development of OCEAN, TSI is responsible for product
distribution, training, and support. Network services for OCEAN are
available through a special arrangement with GE Information Services
(GEIS). Customers may also contract for network services from other
providers.

The ISA is open to all vessel-operating common carriers and operates with
approval of the Federal Maritime Commission. The ISA is involved in the
development of EDI standards for the ocean shipping industry through its
participation in both ANSI X12 and UN/EDIFACT activities.

TSI International is a leading supplier of software and services focused on
delivering business solutions for electronic commerce. TSI products
include advanced systems for EDI management, tools for translating EDI
data and mapping it to computer applications, and pre-built, pre-tested
solutions for entire trading communities. Thousands of organizations
worldwide use TSI software to conduct business electronically.

TSI International
45 Danbury Rd
Wilton, CT 06897
203-761-8600,  fax 203-762-9677

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