2001 Press Releases

Objective's $3 million contract with IP Australia to improve efficiency of patent processing

Sydney, AUSTRALIA --- More efficient processing of patent applications will be one outcome of a $3 million software and services contract to be signed today between Objective Corporation (ASX: OCL) and IP Australia, the federal government agency that grants rights in patents, trade marks and designs.

Under the contract, Objective Corporation - Australia's leading developer and supplier of knowledge management software - will undertake a series of major projects designed at improving the management of electronic information at IP Australia.

These projects are aimed at improving the efficiency of the application processes for patents, trade marks and designs in accordance with Federal Government legislation. The first step will be the introduction of Innovation Patents.

IP Australia will also use Objective software to archive its electronic records and to store and easily retrieve knowledge held in unstructured electronic information such as emails, documents and spreadsheets.

"Most of IP Australia's 750 employees will use the Objective system in the course of their daily duties by the time this contract is completed," said Dr Ian Heath, Director General of IP Australia.

"We are confident that Objective will assist us in achieving significant improvements in our management of electronic information and increasing the overall efficiency of IP Australia." Mr Tony Walls, CEO Asia Pacific of Objective Corporation, which listed on the ASX in August 2000, said, "IP Australia selected the Objective solution over major global competitors.

"Their decision confirms my belief that not only is Objective rapidly becoming the knowledge management system of choice in the domestic government and corporate market, but also that we will be very successful in competing for business internationally."

Over the past two years, Objective has secured contracts valued at more than $15 million with Australian federal government clients. These include the Department of Defence, the Federal Attorney General's Department, ATSIC, the Department of Transport and Regional Services and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Objective Corporation also recently won a contract with the British government in Northern Ireland, working with the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) in Belfast.

In December 2000, Objective Corporation gained certification by the US Department of Defence, enabling the company to bid for large US government contracts. These international successes follow the recent opening of Objective Corporation offices in London and Boston.

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