MDSI Awarded U.S. Software Patent for Advantex Compose Technology; Advantex Compose to Help Customers and Partners Configure Advantex Solution According to Unique Work Practices

Business Wire, Feb 19, 2003

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

RICHMOND, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2003

MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:MDSI)(TSX:MMD.TO), the leading provider of mobile workforce management solutions, today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a software patent covering the enabling technology in its groundbreaking configuration tool, Advantex Compose.

The patent entitled "System and Method for Creating Validation Rules Used to Confirm Input Data," covers the core technology that MDSI uses to capture a customer's work practices and generate an Advantex system.

Advantex Compose 2.0 enables customers to build their own system that works the way they do - without having to go back to MDSI for configuration changes. Companies can create their own screens and modify the GUI so that Advantex works according to their unique business practices. Released in August 2002, Advantex Compose defines the types of work the customer performs, work order details, how work orders are presented to dispatchers and technicians, forms to be completed in the field, and validation rules that apply to work results entered in the field.

MDSI will also make the tool set available to its systems integrator (SI) and independent software vendor (ISV) partners, so that they have access to the same power.

The authors of the patent include Tommy Lee, Sr. VP Product Development, and Randy Roesler, System Architect.

"We are very pleased that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has acknowledged our innovation and expertise. Advantex Compose is a real milestone for MDSI that puts the power of change into the hands of our customers," commented Erik Dysthe, President, CEO and Chairman of MDSI.

MDSI currently has an additional seven U.S. patent applications pending approval.

About MDSI

MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:MDSI)(TSX:MMD) is the leading provider of mobile workforce management solutions. MDSI's suite of applications improves customer service and relationships, and reduces operating costs by empowering service companies to optimally manage their field resources. MDSI also provides all of the professional services necessary to help customers implement, maintain and take full advantage of its solutions. For more information, please visit www.mdsi-advantex.com.