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December 1, 2004

Lexis-Nexis launches an SMB friendly cost structure

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LexisNexis U.S., a leading provider of legal, news, and business information services, today launched LexisNexis AlaCarte!ô, a new online service to address the information needs of the fast-growing small-to-medium sized business and independent professionals market.

The service, available via http://www.lexisnexis.com/alacartenow, provides access to more than 20,000 sources of business, news, business public records, and government information, including top newspapers, magazines and transcripts, company and industry reports, deed records, liens, zip demographics, state and federal legislation, and intellectual property. Consumers can log on and conduct a simple or advanced search free-of charge (users pay only for documents retrieved) through an easy-to-use interface. There is also a Hot Topic button that allows users to search on related topics, such as Iraq War or Terrorism.

"With LexisNexis AlaCarte! we have alleviated the frustration of having to sift through a lot of outdated, unrelated, or unreliable data on the Web. We have shortened the distance from search to solution, which to a busy, working professional is priceless," said Elizabeth Rector, senior vice president of Corporate and Federal Markets for LexisNexis.

The site does not require a subscription, and documents can be ordered on a per document basis by credit card through a secure site. Consumers will also gain access to legal information starting next year.

Barbara Barclay, vice president of New Channels for LexisNexis Corporate and Federal Markets, said, "We developed LexisNexis AlaCarte! with flexible pricing that does not require subscription fees or other start-up costs," said Barclay. "This service levels the business intelligence playing field for small businesses that often compete with larger firms that can support in-house research staff. LexisNexis AlaCarte! empowers them to retrieve the information, how and when they need it," said Barclay.

LexisNexis is known for its premium services tailored to the Fortune 500 companies, and now this new service is being offered to a new market of independent professionals and small-to-medium sized business owners. A soft job market over the last few years has resulted in more individuals pursuing freelance careers, start-up businesses or securing short-term engagements with large companies as independent consultants or temporary staff. According to the Small Business Administration, over 579,000 businesses were started last year, and self-employment increased by 3.7 percent.

This announcement, which follows recent strategic announcements made by the company, demonstrates that LexisNexis is moving its business strategy focus beyond traditional research by improving customer access to information. Most recently, LexisNexis announced an alliance with Research in Motion (RIM), the manufacturers of the BlackBerryÆ handheld, to deliver access to content for users of the mobile device. LexisNexis also recently joined forces with Biz360Æ and Cymfony to provide up-to-the-minute market intelligence to help manage a company's reputation.

Rector concluded by saying, "LexisNexis continues to evolve its business to meet the changing needs of customers so they can continue to make informed business decisions. For 31 years, we have been an innovator for the content market, and we continue to retain this position by delivering information the way people want it."

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