Rand McNally Introduces New Mapping Software for Everyday Business Travelers

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

CES 2001

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2001

StreetFinder(R) City Centers provides detailed maps and

information of 35 most well traveled cities in U.S.

Responding to the ever-growing need to simplify life for the business traveler, Rand McNally, the leading global provider of geographic and travel information, today formally announced the availability of StreetFinder(R) City Centers, CD-ROM software that provides maps and information on the go to Palm OS(R) device users.

The new City Centers software will be officially unveiled in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show, Palm Developer Pavilion, Booth 24000, Silver Pavilion, January 6-9, 2001. City Centers is a 2000 Codie Award finalist in the category of "Best Handheld Application."

Derived from Rand McNally's award-winning StreetFinder(R) Deluxe software, City Centers provides detailed, downtown maps of the 35 most highly traveled U.S. cities. The maps can be easily synchronized from a PC to a PDA running Palm OS(R) 3.0 or higher; no Internet download is required. The maps, which contain full street and address details for downtown areas and are GPS enabled, offer great detail and point-of-interest information on retail services, shopping, entertainment, Mobil Travel Guide(R) hotels, restaurants and more.

The maps are also highly customizable, allowing users to add personal points of interest and select unique icons. The easy-to-use interface makes finding the best way just taps away and features a tool bar with zoom functionality and help system features to assist first-time users.

"StreetFinder(R) City Centers lets travelers be prepared at all times. A business traveler can use this software on their PDA to go to multiple points in one day, from going to a meeting, finding a restaurant and getting to their hotel," Chris Heivly, president of randmcnally.com and senior vice president of Rand McNally, said. "We've combined Rand McNally's cartographic expertise with innovative features in a streamlined tool that will be indispensable to business travelers."

At $9.99, StreetFinder(R) City Centers software is priced to allow users to choose from five of the 35 cities on the CD-ROM. Individuals can purchase an upgrade at randmcnally.com to access the remaining 30 cities. Users also have the option of upgrading to StreetFinder(R) Deluxe software, which has additional robust Palm OS(R) and PC mapping functionality with directions and full map coverage of the entire United States. StreetFinder(R) City Centers software is available at office product retailers, computer retailers, Rand McNally Map & Travel Stores, and also on the Web at www.randmcnally.com.

About Rand McNally

Rand McNally & Company is the world's premier global provider of geographic information in both print and electronic media for travel, reference and education. randmcnally.com, the Internet business unit of Rand McNally, offers online mapping, driving directions and customized road trip travel planning. For more information, call 800/333-0136, ext. 3902 or log on at www.randmcnally.com.

StreetFinder is a registered trademark of Rand McNally & Company. Palm is a trademark of Palm Inc.

Editors' Note: To obtain product samples, artwork or more information on Rand McNally, contact Ditas Mauricio at PAN Communications at 978/474-1900.