GridNode and Dagang Net Team to Deliver Automated System for Customs Clearance Using Rosettanet E-Business Standards

Deployment of RosettaNet PIP 3B18 to Support Automated Customs Clearance

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. 24 Sept, 2003 /PRNewswire/ -- GridNode, the leading provider of extended enterprise businessware, today announced that Dagang Net, a premier e-commerce service provider, has installed GridNode B2B integration platform as the core infrastructure for its automated customs clearance system. The GridNode integration platform provides out-of-the-box connectivity for manufacturers and third-party logistics (3PL) companies to the e-Logistics service, by using the automated RosettaNet Notify of Shipping Documentation Partner Interface Process® (PIP®) 3B18.

GridNode provides Dagang Net with a B2B integration platform in which the RosettaNet PIP 3B18 is enabled. By having the manufacturers and 3PL companies submit the electronic shipping documentation in the specified RosettaNet formats, Dagang Net allows straight-through processing, resulting in a faster and more simplified customs clearance cycle.

"We decided to move forward with the RosettaNet-enabled customs clearance system in order to realize both immediate and long term benefits. The partnership with GridNode helps us provide standards-based solutions and services to an increasing number of manufacturers and 3PL companies. An added value to our customers is not only a rapid way to facilitate standard electronic customs declaration, but also the simplified maintenance of these traditionally complex business processes," said Saifol Bahri Shamlan, Chief Executive Officer of Dagang Net.
Using the GridNode and Dagang Net e-Logistics solution, manufacturers and 3PL companies are able to leverage their existing infrastructure, as well as generate and process shipping information directly from various applications for submission to the customs. A significant differentiator of the solution is the ability to allow manufacturers and 3PL companies to improve efficiency of the import/export procedures through automation using industry-accepted formats, capitalizing on e-business standards such as RosettaNet.

Earlier this year, Penang's Chief Minister, Tan Sri Dr Tsu-Koon Koh, sought to automate the customs clearance process in an effort to reduce shipment throughput time, thereby facilitating the rapid movement of goods in and out of Penang, Malaysia. RosettaNet member companies Intel and Dell, working in collaboration with Royal Malaysian Customs, Exel, FedEx and the Penang Freight Forwarders Association, entered into a pilot phase to help drive the program implementation. This industry collaboration, supported by Malaysia's National IT Council (NITC), led to successful automation of the declaration process by leveraging RosettaNet's production-proven standards, resulting in the first-ever government-related application. Following the successful pilot and validation of PIP 3B18, the RosettaNet Consortium created a Milestone Program to facilitate worldwide, end-to-end shipment of goods across international borders using PIP 3B18 as the standard customs declaration format.

RosettaNet's eCustoms Declaration initiative focuses on enhancing efficiency across the supply chain through process automation. Specifically, the eCustoms process helps eliminate the need for manual forms and approval, and also bypasses manual filing and record keeping requirements. The expected result is a dramatic reduction in the customs clearing process from hours to minutes.
Other benefits include:

-- Faster customs processing response time
-- Rapid movement of raw material imports and finished goods exports
-- Cost savings with lower inventory costs
-- Increased productivity and savings by reducing freight forwarder's
cost
-- Increased automation (up to 80%) minimizing human error
-- Savings by freight forwarding companies through maximization of human
and material resources utilizations and lower service cost

"We are pleased to see this industry support for RosettaNet's eCustoms Declaration and eLogistics initiatives," said SY Foong, Vice President of RosettaNet Asia. "Our ultimate goal is to find a way to expedite and streamline customs clearance, thereby making it easier to do business through various ports of entry and ports of exit. The ability to automate the declaration process will yield significant benefits for the private and public sectors alike."
"There is an aggressive push for Customs agencies to engage in the RosettaNet eCustoms Declaration initiative created to facilitate faster movement of goods with enhanced efficiency," said Chee-Tong Leow, Managing Director of GridNode. "Together, GridNode and Dagang Net are addressing this challenge and will deliver a tremendous value for manufacturers and logistics service providers as they strive to achieve optimal resource utilization while also maximizing cost savings associated with automated, straight-through customs clearance."

About Dagang Net
The Dagang Net Group of Companies (Dagang Net) is Malaysia's leading e- commerce service provider which has unmatched experience in managing port, logistics and Customs-related e-transactions. It owns and operates a national e-commerce trade and business exchange that handles some 40 million electronic trade transactions and RM1.8 billion Customs duty payments annually. More information about the company can be found at www.dagangnet.com.

About RosettaNet
RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open internet-based business standards that align processes within the global technology trading networks. More than 500 companies, representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components semiconductor manufacturing and telecommunications revenues, currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities. Information on the consortium's worldwide activities in the Americas, Asia and Europe, and a complete list of board members and partner companies, is available at www.rosettanet.org. RosettaNet is a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC).

About GridNode
GridNode provides businessware for extended enterprise management and web services. Using a highly-optimized, distributed architecture for B2B integration and collaboration, GridNode's peer-to-peer (P2P), XML-based product suite enables critical supply chain data to be exchanged, synchronized and analyzed in real-time via the Internet infrastructure, reliably and efficiently. GridNode's software complies with latest industry standards and enhances existing enterprise information systems, such as ERP, SCM and CRM. GridNode also offers a robust, affordable and scalable RosettaNet Basics-compliant solution for enterprises of any size to connect directly to their trading partners. More information about the company and its products can be found at www.gridnode.com.