IBM to Provide 24/7 Service Support in Secondary and Tertiary Markets WINDSOR, Conn.---March 25, 2002--Konica Printing Technologies (KPT), a division of Konica Business Technologies, Inc., today announced a three-year, third-party maintenance relationship with IBM Printing Systems. As a result of the agreement, IBM Printing Systems will provide 24/7 service coverage for KPT's flagship product,the FORCE 75 Production Printing System, in non-Konica branch areas, including Alaska and Hawaii. Dedicated to delivering high-volume printing products and consulting for data center and mission-critical printing environments, KPT pursued a relationship with IBM Printing Systems based on its high-volume printing knowledge, its solid service track record, and its extensive support team with service locations throughout the United States. The agreement extends the quality service offered by Konica's branches, and provides support to KPT's VAR channel and its roster of data center customers, particularly those located in secondary and tertiary markets. "Our customers, our VAR channel and our products are major priorities for Konica, and ensuring that each of them receives the attention and support they deserve is equally important,'' said Jun Haraguchi, vice president of marketing, Konica Business Technologies, Inc. "For these reasons, we selected IBM to support us in our service coverage efforts. IBM's reputation in the marketplace stands for itself.'' "IBM Printing Systems is known around the globe as a world-class provider of printer maintenance service,'' said Ron Santos, vice president, North America Availability Service, IBM Printing Systems. "The service we deliver differentiates us from other third-party hardware organizations in the industry today. Being able to bring that resource to bear in support of an organization like Konica makes for a strong and dynamic relationship.''