Monday November 4, 11:03 am ET

Crystal Systems Solutions Expands Its "Crysware" Product Offering -- Announces Availability of Support for UPC Data Field Expansion

Cost-Effective, Fully Integrated Solution Based on Proven Methodology and Vast Data Field Adjustment Project

HERZLIA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2002--Crystal Systems Solutions (NASDAQ: CRYS - News)a global provider of leading software products and support services for the modernization of existing information systems, today announced the release of its new "CRYSWARE Data Field Adjustment" product that answers the most recent UPC (Universal Product Code) data field expansion requirements.

The need for UPC expansion follows the UCC (Universal Code Council) announcement that, as of January 1, 2005, all companies that transmit and store product data must expand their databases to accept and store the 14-digit GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) structure that may include any of the following forms: EAN/UCC-8, EAN/UCC-13, EAN/UCC-14, and UCC-12 structure. The initial impact is expected in retail point-of-sale (POS) systems in the USA. Software products and databases used by retailers will need to be extended to store 14 digits to accommodate both EAN/UCC numbers.

The expansion to a 14-digit data field will allow seamless communication among converging supply chains and a more efficient data exchange between manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers to the benefit of all concerned. This new requirement will affect retailers, suppliers, and producers alike both in the North American and Canadian market.

Feature Highlights

Crystal's product is built on its Data Field Adjustment field-proven software and methodology, a unique and flexible technology solution developed to support complex, large-scale data field length, type, or structure modifications. In addition to being extensively used during the euro transformation years, it was also used in various field adjustment projects over the past decade. The product provides an enterprise-wide approach for business applications operating on diverse platforms including mainframe (OS/390) and open-systems (Unix), and their associated languages and database systems.

"Our multi-platform and multi-language solution will meet the needs of the vast majority of potential customers," said Chanan Weiss, CEO of Crystal Systems Solutions. "A fully-integrated solution will make the transition for IT managers a low-risk and cost effective implementation. Our clients will find additional value in the generated repository, which greatly enhances and improves common maintenance tasks, serves as an application portfolio manager, and assists during the adoption of Web-services -- true benefits that can be measured on the bottom line.

Mr. Weiss added, "Crystal's enterprise-wide solution, its proven methodology and experience with conversions and data-field expansion projects, together with its intimate knowledge with some of the largest USA retail IT systems, provide significant time and cost savings for organizations that need to support the UPC data field expansion."

About Crystal

Crystal Systems Solutions Ltd. develops solutions that enable clients to efficiently manage the IT assets at their disposal, including legacy applications, modern application packages, middleware, and networking technologies. Its products provide cross-platform software renovation, modernization, and IT asset management solutions that are designed to accelerate the process of mission-critical legacy renewal, integration, and maintenance during an application's entire life cycle.

For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.crystal-sys.com.

Crystal Systems Solutions is a member of the Formula Group (Nasdaq:FORTY - News). The Formula Group is an international information technology company principally engaged, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, in providing software consulting services, developing proprietary software products, and providing computer-based solutions.

Certain statements contained in this release may be deemed forward-looking statements, with respect to plans, projections, or future performance of the Company, the occurrence of which involves certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual plans to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: market demand for the Company's tools, successful implementation of the Company's tools, competitive factors, the ability to manage the Company's growth, the ability to recruit and retrain additional software personnel, and the ability to develop new business lines.

Note to Editors: All names and trademarks are their owners' property.

Contact:
Crystal Systems Solutions Ltd.
Iris Yahal, +972-9-9600233