The acquisition of PDS represents an important step in EDB Teamco's selective commitment to providing computer operating services for the smaller and medium-sized corporate market. PDS is the clear market leader in Norway for centralised and remote operating services for IT systems using IBM AS/400 servers.

A total of 1,800 Norwegian companies operate systems based on the AS/400 platform, and 95% of these currently use internal resources or hired consultants to operate their computer systems in-house. EDB Teamco estimates that the total internal costs involved in these operations is in excess of NOK 2 billion annually.

The acquisition of PDS forms part of EDB Teamco's planned launch of a new generation of computer operating services for this market segment that will represent an attractive alternative to using internal resources. A new central ASA/400 "Powerhouse" will make it profitable for companies to replace their local servers with leased processing capacity supplied by EDB Teamco.

EDB Teamco also plans to launch an ASP service during the second quarter of 2001 which will offer customers a choice of rental-based access to specific AS/400 applications or a lease package to meet all their applications requirements using the ASP model.

EDB Teamco has worked with PDS as an operating partner for business critical AS/400 applications since the summer of 1999. Both companies have a broad base of customer relationships and a strong position in this market. This, together with the strong growth expected for IT outsourcing, provides the basis for a determined but selective commitment to the small and medium sized corporate market by EDB Teamco.

PDS will continue to offer its existing services and products and maintain its existing customer relationships as a separate subsidiary of EDB Teamco.

For further information please contact:

Bjørn Carlsen, Managing Director, EDB Teamco.
Mobile +47 91 19 38 55

Kato Presterud, Managing Director, PDS.
Tel. +47 23 05 11 30, Mobil +47 93 46 26 36

Finn-Arne Øvern, Head of Partnerships/Concepts, EDB Teamco.
Mobile +47 91 33 06 91

EDB Teamco is the largest supplier of IT operating services in Norway. The company is the main supplier of operational and network services to many of the largest businesses in Norway, as well as providing operating services for the business critical IT systems of a large number of medium-sized companies. The company's turnover in 2000 was just under NOK 2 billion, and it has approximately 800 employees. EDB Teamco AS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EDB Business Partner ASA, which is a quoted Norwegian IT group comprising eight wholly-owned companies with more than 3,500 employees and annual turnover of NOK 4.5 billion in 2000.
http://www.edb.com
http://www.edb.teamco.no

PDS is an independent supplier of IT services, and was first established in 1985. Ever since the start of operations, PDS has distinguished itself by offering products that have gained national and international recognition, and it currently has 500 customers of which 200 are outside Norway. PDS is an authorised IBM Business Partner, and its range of products and services includes systems, software and services based on the IBM iSeries400, AS/400 and Netfinity NT servers. The company currently has 19 employees and its turnover in 2000 was approximately NOK 20 million. http://www.pds.no