Need to Better Serve U.S. Market Drives Future Direction of AIM, Inc.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – April 2, 2003 – In a move designed to increase national awareness of AIDC technologies (bar code, card technologies, electronic article surveillance (EAS), data communications, radio frequency identification (RFID), real time locating systems (RTLS) and biometrics) and how they are being applied to improve critical applications such as homeland security, patient safety and supply chain management, the AIM Board of Directors announced the association's new strategic direction including the formation of an AIM U.S. Chapter.

The association, comprised of international, national and regional information technology (IT) providers and users (Boeing, Department of Defense, Johnson & Johnson and Proctor & Gamble) is now developing plans to better serve the needs of U.S.-based manufacturers, value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators, independent software developers and end users.

As the worldwide authority on AIDC technologies, AIM Global's mission is to accelerate adoption and use of AIDC technologies and services in all industries around the world. To help achieve that objective, AIM has defined the following long-range strategic goals:

• AIM will be the proactive, worldwide authority on evaluating, facilitating and obtaining approval of standards and regulations for new AIDC technologies.
• AIM will be the advocate for positioning the value of AIDC technologies as a key member of the information technology (IT) industry and community.
• AIM will partner with new and existing Chapters to expand the opportunities to bring additional value to its members.

According to Keith Bothmann, Director of Robert Christensen APS in Hedehusene, Denmark and Chairman of the Board of AIM, Inc., "AIM's reorganization has brought about a new, streamlined organization that can better serve the AIDC users and vendors. Namely, the global AIM organization will be executing strategic initiatives that will open new markets and create unprecedented visibility for AIDC technologies. In concert with these efforts, the global organization will support and expand a network of chapters that can focus on locally relevant services. In recognizing the need for the global organization to focus on these efforts, the association realized that a U.S. chapter was an essential addition to our network to support the significant AIDC community in America."

The new U.S. Chapter will target the existing AIDC sales channel in addition to manufacturers, software developers and integrators interested in expanding their capabilities through the use of AIDC technologies.

Mike Baur, President/CEO of ScanSource, Inc. in Greenville, SC and a member of the AIM Board of Directors, added, "While the entire AIDC community of vendors and users can benefit from the global strategic initiatives of AIM, the AIM chapter network is an essential part of bringing AIDC solutions to reality on a daily basis.

A U.S. Chapter of AIM will be uniquely positioned to focus on and deliver value to this important constituency. The U.S. Chapter, like its' counterparts around the globe, will deliver educational programs and services to help VARs, Solution Providers and users understand the benefits of collecting and managing accurate, real-time data. Initially these efforts will target the most active application areas such as healthcare, security and the retail supply chain."

New advancements in AIDC technology are enabling users to capture and manage accurate, real-time data for a wide range of applications in an increasing variety of industries. Driving cost out of the supply chain, improving homeland security and reducing medical errors through government mandate are now emerging as key factors influencing the adoption of AIDC technologies which will result in increased security and patient safety, dramatic improvements in manufacturing/warehousing productivity and enhanced customer satisfaction on retail floors across the country.

About AIM, Inc.
AIM, Inc., is the global trade association and recognized worldwide authority on automatic identification, data collection and networking in a mobile environment. AIM members are providers and users of technologies, systems and services that capture, manage and integrate accurate data into larger information management systems. As a not-for-profit industry organization, AIM's mission is to stimulate the understanding, adoption and use of technology by providing timely, unbiased, commercial-free news and information.

For more information, contact the AIM office at AIM, Inc., 634 Alpha Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2802, Phone: +1.412.963.8588, Fax: +1.412.963.8753. For direct online access to AIDC information, or additional support, access the AIM Web site at www.aimglobal.org.