Research Initiative to Define New Efficiencies for Transportation Economics

OMNI Consulting Group to Examine Trends of Forward Demand Planning and Collaborative Economies

DAVIS, Calif. - April 17, 2000 - OMNI Consulting Group is developing a research initiative to explore the underlying economic principles and trends occurring within forward demand planning and the creation of collaborative economies in the logistics marketplace with Nistevo, the leading provider of Web-based, hosted applications for the procurement and execution of logistics services. Under tested conditions of price uncertainty, the interaction of markets enables researchers to analyze the basis for optimized supply and demand levels within the execution of freight decisions.

Highlighted elements of the study will include:

• Measurement of supply and demand conditions for ground freight operations in an exchange environment
• Examination of price behavior in comparison to transport carrier contracts and effects upon negotiation of tariffs; assessment of elasticity factors that influence supply-side economics
• Impact of operational efficiency as a result of Nistevo's technology input and the automation of market decisions under information visibility
• Discernment of economic efficiency and value creation within the pure concept of forward exchange models
• Exploratory review of concept transfer to inter-modal methods (ground/air/oceanic/rail and combination of modes)

"As a market educator, Nistevo is exploring the inefficiencies of logistics within the supply chain," said Frank Bernhard, managing principal of the supply chain and telecommunications practice at OMNI Consulting Group. "The collaboration of learning alongside current clients heralds the company's mission to advance the market's body of knowledge while revealing the benefits of dynamic trading networks."

The study's primary emphasis is being placed upon the ground shipment sector since the available data allows an accurate assessment of commodity transportation behavior. Specifically, the food and beverage industry, MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) distribution sector, and raw materials manufacturing serve as likely points of sampling throughout the study. General Mills and other current subscribers to Nistevo.com will supply data for the research initiative.

"Our approach to measuring economic benefit and efficiency is radically different than current knowledge in the logistics marketplace," said Kevin Lynch, president and CEO of Nistevo. "This study will shape the perception of the logistics marketplace and foretell new levels of productivity."

A general report of findings and several estimation tools will be available at the completion of the research initiative. Projected results are anticipated by late June of 2000 and available through Nistevo. For more information, visit www.nistevo.com.

About OMNI Consulting Group LLP

Founded in 1989, OMNI Consulting Group LLP, is the premiere source for empirical knowledge behind today's fast moving technology marketplace. With an impressive global network of economists and research practitioners, the firm serves many of the world's largest technology organizations and offers an unbiased approach of quantitative standards to address client-focused initiatives. OMNI Consulting Group fosters the understanding of market dynamics through an application of econometric solutions in a wide array of advisory and management research functions. Practice units within the firm concentrate on merger and acquisition support, technology audit and assurance, and intellectual asset management.

No longer is market blindness an excuse, but rather an opportunity to witness the next horizon. Discover the insight of technology economics by visiting our Website: http://www.omniconsultinggroup.com

About Nistevo

Nistevo is the leading provider of Web-based, collaborative logistics networks. The Nistevo.com network allows major buyers, shippers and carriers to collaboratively manage the procurement and execution of logistics services throughout the supply chain via private and semi-private networks. Through this trusted member network, organizations can share capacity, automate interaction with carriers and streamline their supply chain processes while carriers on the network optimize their capacity. The Nistevo network provides collaborative logistics services for various industries throughout the world. For more information about Nistevo visit our Web site at www.nistevo.com.