Penske Logistics and Business Objects Recognized for Outstanding Performance in Business Analysis and Management Applications

Business Wire, June 19, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2002

Companies Named as Finalists for the 2002

RealWare Awards for IT Excellence

Business Objects (Nasdaq:BOBJ), the world's leading provider of business intelligence solutions, and Penske Logistics, a global transportation services provider, have been recognized for their outstanding performance in business analysis and management applications by the 2002 RealWare Awards Program. Penske and Business Objects were named RealWare Award finalists in the Best Business Performance Analysis and Management Application category by Intelligent Enterprise and Transform Magazines. Winners will be announced in late June.

Penske partnered with Business Objects to deliver comprehensive supply chain data to customers over the internet using WebIntelligence(R), the internet-based business intelligence solution from Business Objects. Information accessed through extranet applications helps customers reduce transportation costs, lower inventory, and increase operational efficiency.

In addition to the recent recognition from the 2002 RealWare Awards, Penske Logistics and Business Objects have been recognized as industry leaders in extranet deployments by several technology organizations. Awards include the 2001 Best Practices in Data Warehousing Award from the Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI) and the 1999 DCI Excellence in Business Information Award for implementation of Business Objects throughout Penske Logistics.

More than 1,300 Penske Logistics associates in numerous areas of the company access reports generated using Business Objects solutions on a daily basis. Managers and executives rely on the reports to show key performance indicators such as on-time performance, delivery statistics and vehicle miles per gallon.

At the close of each day, Penske Logistics receives a wealth of data via satellite from trucks on the road and operations throughout North America. This information is loaded into a data warehouse. Using WebIntelligence, employees and customers can access, analyze, and share critical information about the supply chain. This capability helps both Penske and its customers to improve supply chain performance and compete more effectively.

"Our supply-chain extranet enables our customers to view and analyze detailed information and identify any problems impeding the speed and accuracy of the deliveries we manage for their business," said Tom Nather, senior systems analyst for Penske Logistics. "When problems are identified, we can partner with the customer to take action based on the WebIntelligence reports. This may include changing the number of stops, shortening routes, or consolidating routes. Business Objects has helped us provide customers with information they can use to improve delivery times and reduce costs."

One Penske customer recently used information from the extranet to reduce supply chain expenses. Through analysis of the data, the food products distribution customer found that its customers were ordering products in shipments that were too small to achieve profitability. The customer was able to determine that shipping costs for orders of less than 75 lbs. exceeded the profits the distributor was making on the sale. Based on the information, the customer was able to adjust order requirements for its sales force to ensure profitability.

"Penske Logistics recognized the importance of using the Internet to open its business to its customers and embraced this technology in the early stages of development," said Bernard Liautaud, chief executive officer of Business Objects. "Now the company is benefiting from its decision with the competitive advantage that enables Penske to provide a much greater level of service to customers. We are pleased that Intelligent Enterprise and Transform Magazines have recognized Penske Logistics and ourselves for this innovative deployment."

Business Objects is the leading provider of extranet solutions, with more than 750 extranet customers to date.

About Penske Logistics

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Logistics provides global solutions for transportation management, distribution management and integrated logistics. Located across three continents, Penske is committed to flawless execution, calling on the company's technology, engineering and operational expertise to provide world-class solutions specifically designed to fulfill each customer's unique supply chain needs. Penske Logistics can be reached at www.penskelogistics.com.

Headquartered in Reading, Pa., Penske Truck Leasing is a joint venture of Penske Corporation and GE Capital. A global transportation services provider, the company operates approximately 200,000 heavy-, medium-, and light-duty trucks and serves customers from more than 700 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Product lines include full-service leasing, contract maintenance, and commercial and consumer rental. Penske Truck Leasing's annual revenues are approximately US $3.4 billion. The company can be reached at www.pensketruckleasing.com.