Selection as First Choice's e-Commerce Partner

Anite Group PLC 23 March 2000 Anite chosen as First Choice Holidays PLC's e-commerce strategy partner Anite Travel Systems, a subsidiary of Anite Group plc, today announces a strategic partnership to provide e- commerce solutions for First Choice Holidays PLC, one of the UK's leading integrated tour operators. Anite Travel Systems is the leading provider of e-commerce reservation systems to the travel industry. As a strategic partner, Anite will assist the First Choice Group in developing industrial strength websites for all its mainstream UK and Ireland Tour Operating brands. These sites will provide secure environments for transactions and reservations systems and permit the effective development of content and customer relationship management. First Choice is perfectly placed to exploit the opportunities presented by emerging technologies. The Company's strong brands, large customer base and position as a low cost content provider, when applied to new methods of distribution, give the potential to reduce distribution costs significantly, and provide the ultimate in customer choice. Anite Travel Systems will provide the architecture, products and services by which its customers will enable their own customers to book travel and holidays from web browsers, interactive TV, mobile phones and call centres via secure e-commerce highways to both Anite and other reservation systems. Internet reservation projects have already been delivered for Virgin Holidays, Direct Holidays, Superbreaks and Globespan to name a few. In addition, Anite also offers a full managed service for clients from its data centre in Slough, a service which has been utilised by First Choice Holidays on a long term contractual basis for many years. This service has been enhanced in recent months by the 'pay as you pax' scheme, where Anite offer the hardware, products and support at no cost and re-coup the investment by charging a fixed fee per passenger booked. John Hawkins, Anite Group's Chief Executive, commented: 'We have recently added strength to our offering to the travel sector and have developed an industry-leading complete e-business solution for dotcom tour operators and travel agents on a global basis; the partnership with First Choice is evidence of the success of this offering.' For further information please contact: Anite Group plc 0118 945 0121 John Hawkins, Chief Executive www.anite.com Simon Hunt, Finance Director Ludgate Communications 0207 253 2252 Reg Hoare/Edward Macquisten
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