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FedEx Archives: 1999 Press Releases

( BW)(TN-FDX-CORP)(FDX) FDX Expands E-Commerce Solutions With Multi-Carrier Shipping System; FDX PowerShip mc Provides Greater Customer Convenience

    Business Editors

    MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1999--FDX Corp. (NYSE:FDX) today introduces FDX PowerShip(R) mc, a multi-carrier electronic shipping system that will be offered free to medium- and large-volume shippers to manage real-time shipping and tracking needs. This enhanced customer automation system will provide a single point of access for the two largest FDX companies - Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) and RPS Inc. - and will even include major competitors.
    "In today's high-tech and high-speed global economy, businesses are looking for ways to cut time and costs out of the entire supply chain - from procurement and the inbound flow of goods to outbound sales and distribution. This new integrated technology solution provides greater visibility for goods in transit, which will help customers replace inventory with information to gain competitive advantage," said FDX Executive Vice President and CIO Dennis H. Jones. "With the open architecture of FDX PowerShip mc, our customers can select from a broad range of transportation services and providers to better manage their total supply chain needs."
    The FDX PowerShip mc system will be provided free to select medium- and large-volume shippers and will offer the following benefits:

--	Convenient multi-carrier functionality: Customers will be able to process shipments and check package status for FedEx, RPS and UPS services. For additional carriers, including Airborne Express, BAX, DHL and the U.S. Postal Service, customers can check rates and print address labels.
--	Compatible state-of-the-art technology: The system will integrate seamlessly with multiple computer platforms, which allows customers real-time access to valuable shipper data, or it can operate as a stand-alone device. FDX PowerShip mc is also compatible with various peripherals, such as scan guns and scales.
--	Enhanced information management: The flexible system will feature customizable screens, easy-to-use address books, and detailed reports for accounting, logistics or operations. Shipping data will be archived for easy data retrieval, and information can be imported or exported in real time or in batches throughout the day.

    "FDX companies have been pioneers in e-commerce by providing customers with state-of-the-art automation systems to help them conduct business electronically," Jones said. "FDX PowerShip mc will build on our strong technology heritage as we maintain a direct relationship with our customers, assuring that they receive the full value of our information-based capabilities."
    FedEx created the industry's first free automated shipping management system with FedEx PowerShip(R), and RPS was the first transportation company to offer a multi-carrier shipping and tracking system with RPS MultiShip(R). The FedEx web site, at www.fedex.com, pioneered e-commerce as the first site to enable online shipping and tracking. Today, FedEx interNetShip(R) remains the only online global shipping solution, and through both web-based and customer automation systems, nearly 70% of FedEx U.S. domestic transactions are handled electronically.
    "FDX PowerShip mc complements our other e-commerce solutions and gives our customers greater choice and convenience," Jones added. "We expect that many shippers will continue to prefer the desktop ease of FedEx interNetShip or our existing FedEx PowerShip systems. But with FDX PowerShip mc, our higher-volume shippers can connect to a dedicated, reliable, high-bandwidth network to help manage more complex transportation and information needs."
    FDX Corp., a $17 billion enterprise, provides comprehensive transportation, logistics, e-commerce and supply chain management solutions. Its principal operating subsidiaries are Federal Express Corp., the world's largest express transportation company; RPS Inc., North America's second largest business-to-business ground small-package carrier; Viking Freight Inc., a less-than-truckload carrier operating principally in the western United States; Roberts Express Inc., a critical-shipment carrier; and FDX Logistics Inc., a contract logistics provider.

    NOTE TO EDITORS: The name of this product is "FDX PowerShip(R) mc" with the "mc" in lower-case letters. FDX Corp. press releases are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.fdxcorp.com.

    FDX E-Commerce Milestones

1985 FedEx launches the first PC-based automated shipping system,
    later named FedEx PowerShip(R).

1987 The enhanced FedEx PowerShip2(R) helps customers reduce paperwork,
    streamline billing, and check package status in real time.

1990 RPS Access(R) software links customer databases directly to RPS
    systems, providing quick access to shipping data,
    proof-of-delivery and package tracing.

1993 RPS launches MultiShip(R), the first carrier-supplied customer
    automation system to process packages shipped by other
    transportation providers.

1994 The FedEx web site debuts at www.fedex.com and is the first to
    offer online package status tracking.

1994 FedEx Ship(R) software allows customers to process and manage
    shipping from their desktop.

1996 FedEx launches FedEx interNetShip(R), the first shipping
    application for express packages on the Internet. Customers can
    prepare paperwork using formatted screens, print the label on any
    laser printer, and electronically request a courier to pick up
    the package. (U.S. domestic shipping only)

1996 FedEx Ship(R) 2.0 adds new features, including e-forms, multiple
    package tracking, an easy-to-use address book, and future-day
    shipping.

1997 RPS launches its web site, offering batch tracing,
    Proof-of-Delivery signature access, color-coded service maps, a
    rate calculator, multi-carrier package tracking, and more.

1997 FedEx expands FedEx interNetShip(R) 2.0 to 26 countries for
    shipping to more than 160 countries.

1998 RPS offers QuickShip(SM), a PC-based shipment management system
    that is similar to that offered by dedicated parcel-processing
    systems.

1998 FedEx interNetShip(R) 4.0 adds multi-lingual shipping in
    Japanese, French and Spanish (Latin American sites only). This
    version is available in 58 countries for shipping to more than
    170 countries. FedEx also launches e-Business Tools, allowing
    companies to download the software code to connect their websites
    to FedEx shipping and tracking applications.

1999 An agreement between FDX and Netscape simplifies e-commerce
    transactions for millions with one-click package delivery
    services integrated with the Netcenter portal and Netscape
    browser.

1999 FDX PowerShip(R) mc, a multi-carrier electronic shipping system,
    helps medium- to large-volume shippers manage complex
    transportation and information needs.

     --30--JMP/na*

     CONTACT:  FDX Corp., Memphis
               Shirlee M. Clark, 901/818-7463
               smclark@fdxcorp.com

     KEYWORD:  TENNESSEE
     INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  TRANSPORTATION AIRLINES E-COMMERCE SOFTWARE
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