Maximal and TopINET Join Forces to Provide BI Solution

Maximal Innovative Intelligence Ltd, a leading provider of data analysis tools, announced that it has partnered with TopINET Inc to provide an easy-to-use decision support solution for retail chain management. TopINET, which offers complete business intelligence solutions for the general retail sector in Canada, has integrated Maximal's award-winning Max data analysis tool into its TopDiag business intelligence solution. The integrated solution was demonstrated at the New World of Business show in Montreal, September 20 - 22, 2000.

TopDiag is a powerful reporting and analysis system for companies managing multiple points of sale in several locations. With Max integrated in TopDiag, many decisions can be made at the store level, instead of being centralized at chain headquarters. The easy-to-use multidimensional data analysis capabilities of Max enable managers to quickly analyze data, such as revenue or profit by department, product category or individual product; to conduct ticket (purchase) analysis; and to effortlessly spot problems, opportunities and trends specific to their stores.

The integrated solution has drawn strong praise from TopINET customers who have gained new, sophisticated insight into their businesses. Personal Edge (Centre du Rasoir), a leading personal lifestyle products chain in Canada, with more than 50 stores nationwide, has been using the Max-enabled TopDiag to review its chain-wide operations. "TopDiag with Max has changed the way we do business," said Peter Van Woghel, vice president of finance at Personal Edge. "Because Max shows us multidimensional data in such an easy to understand format, our business users are able to do much more analysis on their own, which means we now need one less analyst. What's more, Max has simplified and speeded the way we analyze particular problems, which lets us take faster action to correct them."

Noted Luc Huyghe, president of TopINET: "We chose to integrate Max because it was the only tool that enabled us to show multidimensional data in an easy to understand and analyze format. Now we enable our customers to transfer knowledge and decision-making capabilities to where it can be most effective to the individual store managers."

The partnership with TopINET is an important step in Maximal's penetration of the Canadian business intelligence market. "We are very pleased that TopINET selected Maximal to help it bring fast, easy-to-use data analysis capabilities to its retail customers," said Eran Megiddo, chief technology officer at Maximal. "We are committed to working with industry leaders such as TopINET to deliver complete business solutions to specific industries and the Canadian market as a whole."

As a Certified Microsoft Solutions Provider, Maximal's sales and marketing efforts in Canada have been welcomed by Microsoft Canada. Commented Rochelle Coleman, marketing manager, SQL Server 2000, at Microsoft Canada: "We are delighted that Maximal is making such a strong foray into the Canadian market. The integrated solution featuring Maximal's and TopINET's technologies is an excellent illustration of the comprehensive solutions that enable companies to make the most of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services."

The Max-enabled TopDiag solution will be available from TopINET in November 2000.

About Max

Max is an easy-to-use data analysis tool. It provides a comprehensive overview in a single screen and enables non-technical business users and expert analysts alike to quickly and easily uncover problems, opportunities and trends, with minimal effort. Since its launch in June 1999, Max has carved a strong niche in the Microsoft-centric business intelligence market. Acclaimed by users, industry analysts, and media reviewers for the ease and speed of use it offers non-technical business users, Max has also been cited as a powerful enabler for expert analysts and database administrators. Max 3.0, due for commercial release in November 2000, supports all the key features of Microsoft SQL Analysis Services. It is deployable over the Intranet and Internet and in corporate portals, and it offers dramatic performance, ease of use and cost-effectiveness advantages to users, IT administrators, and integrated solution developers.

About TopDiag

TopDiag is a powerful reporting and analysis system for retail companies managing multiple points of sale in several locations. It allows daily analysis of the most significant company indicators. Comprising six modules built in an arch architecture, TopDiag is a highly versatile, easily integrated and customized business intelligence solution for medium to large retail chains.

About Maximal

Founded in 1998, privately held Maximal Innovative Intelligence provides powerful, easy to use business intelligence solutions that enable organizations to quickly and easily discover the knowledge hidden in their data warehouses and gain the competitive edge. Maximal holds international patents on its core technology and on its MaxView graphical interface. Maximal is a member of the Microsoft Data Warehouse Alliance 2000 and is a certified Microsoft ISV. The Company is also a founding member of the Analytical Solutions Forum. Maximal is headquartered in Tel Aviv, where it maintains its R&D. Its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Maximal Corporation, provides sales, marketing, distribution, training and customer support in North America. For more information, visit our Web site at www.maxsw.com.

About TopINET

TopINET is provides comprehensive business intelligence solutions to medium to large retails companies. A Microsoft Certified Solution Provider and a partner in the Microsoft's Business Intelligence Program, TopINet specializes in providing business intelligence solutions based on Microsoft's SQL Server platform. TopINet has chosen to focus its expertise on one RDBMS tool in order to provide the best complete OLAP solution. Comprising a dynamic team of MOS (Management Operating System) experts, TopINET has more than 40 years of experience in RDBMS solutions.

Reader Contact Information: North America: Maximal Corporation, 11921 Freedom Drive Suite 550, Reston VA 20190, 703-925-5959, Fax: 703-904-4399, info@maxsw.com, www.maxsw.com.

International: Maximal Innovative Intelligence Ltd, Tozeret Ha'aretz 18, Tel Aviv, ISRAEL 97891, +972-3-6911136, Fax: +972-3-6911137, info@maxsw.com, www.maxsw.com.

Contact Kristy C. Needham, Alan Weinkrantz and Company, 3737 Broadway Suite 340, San Antonio, Texas 78209 U.S.A., 210-820-3070 x102, kristyn@weinkrantz.com or Eran Even-Kesef, 703-925-5959 x5159, eranek@maxsw.com.