Agreement connects single largest pool of real estate appraisers with more than 14,000 mortgage originators

February 24, 2003
For Immediate Release

Vienna, VA and Oklahoma City – BCE Emergis (TSX: IFM) and real estate software designer a la mode, inc. today announced an agreement that will bring together the largest pool of real estate appraisers in North America with the more than 14,000 mortgage originators who have access to Freddie Mac's loanprospector.com. As a result of the agreement a la mode's Mercury Network, a leader in paperless real estate transactions, will be connected to Emergis® Vendor Services Exchange, a secure, Web-based solution for real-time placement, receipt and management of settlement services.

"Connecting to a la mode's Mercury Network will provide mortgage originators using Emergis® Vendor Services Exchange with easy access to over 50 percent of all appraisers in the United States - in every county in every state - all of whom are capable of delivering services electronically," declared Gunnar Bergstrom, president of the eLending Solutions unit of BCE Emergis.

The Mercury Network delivered more than 8.8 million electronic appraisals to lenders and appraisal management companies in the past 12 months, making it, according to a la mode, the undisputed leader in paperless real estate transactions.

"Our appraiser customers will now enjoy a seamless connection to thousands of originators with access to Vendor Services Exchange through Freddie Mac's loanprospector.com without ever having to leave the Mercury Network. This is a case where two companies working together are truly solving the problem of the last mile in a nationwide, end-to-end paperless mortgage platform," stated David Biggers, a la mode CEO.

The Mercury Network supports XML data standards established by the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO). a la mode's real estate appraiser members subscribe to the Mercury Network to connect to customers while using the report form-filling software of their choice. The solution utilizes custom software "plug-in" products, which allow lenders to leverage a la mode's superior coverage, technology and reputation with real estate appraisers.

Emergis® Vendor Services Exchange was launched as a featured tool on Freddie Mac's loanprospector.com in December 2002. Over 40 vendors and five lenders have joined Vendor Services Exchange, including leading settlement service providers such as, Stewart Title, LandSafe, General American Corporation, First American, CBC Companies and LSI. It is the first of a suite of solutions that leverage the company's eLending Solutions platform for end-to-end paperless loan fulfillment, closing and storage.

About BCE Emergis
BCE Emergis is a leading North American eBusiness company enabling specialized transaction processes for the health and finance sectors. BCE Emergis supplies solutions to businesses that automate transactions between companies and allows them to interact and transact in real-time. Its leading technologies are centred on claims processing, electronic bill presentment and payment solutions.

BCE Emergis customers include 14 leading North American health insurers, three of the top five U.S. banks, five of the top six Canadian banks, and a number of North America's largest enterprises. The Company's shares (TSX: IFM) are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index.

About a la mode
a la mode, inc. is the leader in the design, development and support of real estate related software, Internet solutions and electronic document technologies. The company's flagship product, WinTOTAL, is used by over 50 percent of the nation's appraisers, nearly three times the share of its closest competitor. a la mode's Mercury Network servers delivered over 8.8 million electronic appraisals in the past 12 months, making it the undisputed leader in paperless real estate transactions. More information on the company can be found on the Web at http://www.mercury.alamode.com.


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