Bell Atlantic, Biztro, Inc. Team Up to Offer Business-to-Business Web Site for Small Businesses

Bell Atlantic, Biztro, Inc. Team Up to Offer Business-to-Business Web Site for Small Businesses

Web-based Platform Will Help Small Businesses Run More Efficiently

June 14, 2000

NEW YORK and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Bell Atlantic has signed an agreement with Biztro^TM, Inc., a leading provider of online services for emerging businesses. Under the Agreement, Biztro will offer a customized version of the Biztro Business Operations Platform^TM to Bell Atlantic's small business customers. The Web-based platform offers a suite of productivity tools and procurement applications to improve workflow and increase buying power.

The Bell Atlantic Powered By Biztro platform will allow customers to broaden their use of technology, without investing heavily in hardware and software. The platform will be available this fall through links with Bell Atlantic's small business Web pages at www.bellatlantic.com/smallbiz. Services from Bell Atlantic and its subsidiaries also will be available through the site.

"Biztro's platform will provide fast, easy access to key resources allowing business owners to streamline key business functions and improve productivity. Bell Atlantic customers will gain access to purchasing power far beyond their current capabilities," said Regina Novotny, president of Bell Atlantic's General Business group. "The Web site organizes the Internet's fragmented components into a solution-based platform that streamlines the entire value chain of buying, managing and delivering services."

"Bell Atlantic is a clear leader in the telecommunications industry and shares our goal of using innovative tools, such as the Internet, to empower small businesses," said Peter Savich, vice president of strategic development of Biztro. "The Bell Atlantic Powered By Biztro Web platform will enable small businesses to more efficiently run their operations, giving owners and employees more time to focus on revenue-generating activities."

Biztro's Business Operations Platform integrates back-office administration capabilities with best-of-class product and service providers. Core services include record management, management applications, human resource management tools, payroll, accounting and distribution, insurance procurement tools and Web conferencing services. Biztro delivers its platform through a network of industry-leading strategic partners serving the small business market.

About Bell Atlantic

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 20 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.

About Biztro, Inc.

Biztro, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., was founded in March 1999 to address the fastest-growing segment of the B2B eCommerce and eServices marketplace: small business. Biztro is transforming the way small businesses run their operations by integrating leading service providers into its powerful Business Operations Platform, which dramatically increases small business buying power and improves back-office administration. Biztro distributes its Business Operations Platform through a network of strategic partners. Biztro's supplier partners, key to Biztro's business model, include best-of-class companies in various industries that service the small business market. Biztro is funded by leading organizations, including Bank of America, SOFTBANK Venture Capital and Marsh & McLennan Capital. For more information, visit www.biztro.com or contact Biztro public relations at pr@biztro.com.