Expanded sales in Germany
ACD Systems Expands their International Market Position-Software Now
Distributed in Germany
February 18, 2000
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--ACD Systems International Inc. (CDNX:
ASA) announced today details of its successful debut in Germany.
"We have gone from 2 German resellers in June 1999 to 18 as of
January 2000. On-line sales have jumped 130%," said Mark How,
Senior Business Development Coordinator, ACD Systems. "There is a
tremendous growth trend and we are increasing our efforts in the
areas of international development and localization to ensure
continued expansion in Europe and the rest of the world." ACD
Systems entered the European software market in June of 1999 and
already European sales account for 25% of ACD Systems' total
revenue.
ACD Systems has recently completed distribution agreements with
three major corporations in Germany; BHV, AskNet, and VGL.
BHV, one of the top 5 software publishers in Germany, had over $60
million US in sales last year. The publishing deal between ACD
Systems and BHV calls for the retail distribution of ACDSee(TM).
BHV projects the sale of a minimum of 25,000 retail units of
ACDSee(TM) in Germany during the first year of distribution.
Dieter Dedeke, manager of BHV, is confident of ACDSee's(TM) sales
potential, "We don't have to do pioneering work to establish the
name on the market," says Dedeke. " Every informed pc-user knows
of ACDSee(TM) and is waiting for the new German version of ACDSee
3.0(TM)." BHV is committed to a marketing budget of DM 250,000
for ACDSee's(TM) German debut. ACD Systems currently distributes a
localized version of ACDSee 2.42(TM) and is working on the release
of a German version of ACDSee 3.0(TM).
ACD Systems' agreement with AskNet involves selling German,
English, and French versions of ACD Systems' software on-line to
the European market. AskNet is one of the largest on-line
resellers in Germany. AskNet also sells to many German
universities and plans on introducing these institutions to ACD's
private instant messaging software, Express Communicator.
VGL, the German distributor of Paint Shop Pro(TM), sells to over
40,000 German corporations. VGL will utilize their client base to
distribute ACDSee 3.0(TM), as well as create and produce a German
retail box and CD for ACDSee 3.0(TM).
"ACD Systems is truly energized about our emergence in the
European marketplace." notes Kevin Hawe, V.P. Sales & Marketing,
ACD Systems, "In particular, our growth in Germany has been
accelerating over the last 6 months. Our attendance at the CeBIT
technology trade show in Hanover this month will give us the
opportunity to expand our international positioning and will only
add to the numbers. We are open for business and looking for
strategic partners."
Through effective Internet distribution and strategic
partnerships, ACD Systems has experienced rapid growth and has
achieved commercialization of several software products based on
its proprietary platform technologies.
ACD Systems International Inc. (CDNX:ASA) designs, develops and
markets leading edge Digital Imaging and Network Communications
Technologies. The Company has established significant market
penetration by utilizing an Internet-based sales and distribution
model with an estimated 15 million users worldwide. In addition,
the Company has over 12,000 corporate customers that include many
Fortune 500 companies.
ACD Systems International Inc., based in Victoria, British
Columbia, has been actively developing software since 1993. Its
shares are listed for trading on the Canadian Venture Exchange
under the symbol ASA. For more information visit
www.acdsystems.com.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
ACD Systems International Inc.
Martin Winstanley
Vice President Corporate Affairs
(250) 382-5828 or 1-800-819-2207 (US)
martin@acdsystems.com or info@acdnet.com
acdsystems.com
THE CANADIAN VENTURE EXCHANGE NEITHER APPROVES NOR DISAPPROVES THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. |
