Joint Agreement with AssureSoft

Focus Solutions Group PLC 17 April 2000 FOCUS JOINS FORCES WITH ASSURESOFT TO ENABLE ELECTRONIC NEW BUSINESS APPLICATION PROCESSING FOR ASSUREWEB'S IFAS Focus Solutions Group plc, the leading provider of e-commerce software tools for the life and pensions industry, has announced an agreement with AssureSoft to provide its electronic data capture solution goal:proposal to the IFA service provider. goal:proposal will enable AssureWeb's 4,000 registered IFAs to collect and transmit new business applications electronically. Focus has been working with industry standards body Origo to help bring about XML-based standards for electronic collection and processing of customer data. Its capture and processing solution goal:proposal is fast becoming the solution of choice for IFA service providers and insurance companies alike as they build electronic trading capabilities. Mark Lofthouse, managing director, AssureSoft, said: 'We have aggressive plans for the development of AssureWeb's services including offering a secure electronic trading platform. Focus'goal:proposal allows us to offer our customers the ability to capture client information electronically and then send it via AssureWeb to the relevant product provider for confirmation.' As well as gaining agreements with three of the insurance industry's service providers, Focus has sold goal:proposal to ten of the top UK insurance companies including CGU, Legal & General, Norwich Union, Prudential and Scottish Equitable. John Streets, managing director of Focus, commented on the deal: 'The three largest 'live' IFA service providers have now chosen goal:proposal as their solution for new business e- commerce, meaning that a majority of IFAs will now be able to use electronic trading of new business proposals.the warm reception from IFAs and their service providers to the introduction of the new technology is generating great confidence in the industry that the associated business benefits long discussed, will soon be a reality'. Focus Solutions Group plc floated on the London Stock Exchange on 22nd March 2000. For further information contact: Mark Loosmore, Sales and Partnership Director, Focus Focus Solutions Group plc The Innovation Centre Warwick Technology Park Warwick CV34 6UW Tel: 01926 623090 Email: mailto:mloosmore@focus-solutions.co.uk Miles Clayton/Susie Tempest Citigate Technology Tel: 020 7282 2955/2967 Email: miles.clayton@citigatetechnology.com