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Dialog Enhances DialogPRO, Online Info Service for Small Businesses Worldwide

Enhanced Version Adds More Content Channels, New Flat-Fee Subscription Packages

CARY, N.C., USA (October 21, 2002) — Dialog, a Thomson business and a leading worldwide provider of online-based information services and integrated information solutions, today announced an expanded roster of content channels available through its DialogPRO online service, the company's first product designed exclusively for small businesses worldwide.

The updated version of the Web-based service also features additional options for flat-fee subscriptions.

Content available through DialogPRO (Predictable Research Online) is culled from the more than 12 terabytes of information Dialog has gathered from around the world — a continually updated repository known for its depth and breadth, from newspapers and wire services offering real-time news and business analysis, to deep databases of intellectual property data, such as patents and trademark records — all backed by Dialog's precision searching tools and automated alerting features.

Four new content channels are now available through DialogPRO: biotech, competitive intelligence, consulting and defense. Two other content channels, advertising and news, were available with the initial release of DialogPRO in February 2002.

DialogPRO subscribers select a content channel that best meets their information needs, with information sources pre-packaged for each channel. For examples of information sources available through each content channel, please visit http://www.dialog.com/products/dialogpro/.

"We're working to level the playing field for small business owners and department managers in the 100 countries where we are active," said Roy M. Martin. Jr., Dialog president and CEO. "By offering highly focused information resources that meet specific business needs, and at predictable flat-fee pricing, we're giving a powerful new tool to small businesses that previously had been available only to large corporations and government organizations. Access to relevant, timely information is the first step in developing competitive intelligence and market knowledge — assets that can be real catalysts for small business success."

Subscription tiers are available within each content channel. The three tiers, "Primary," "Plus" and "Premier," vary by the number and type of information sources available.

For example, "Primary" packages include "must have" news relevant to the content channel chosen. "Plus" contains additional sources focused on commentary and analysis. "Premier" offers the most complete information solution, with a comprehensive collection of content made available to the subscribing small business owner or department manager.

DialogPRO also features an expanded list of content options available through the advertising and news content channels by providing all three subscription packages, an enhancement from the original service.

All DialogPRO subscribers may also search for and then retrieve articles and reports from information sources not included in their subscription tier on a transactional basis. The price for a selected document is displayed onscreen before the user makes a final determination to buy it.

DialogPRO is available only to small businesses, as determined by revenue size. The revenue threshold varies by country.

Other new features available in DialogPRO include:

• NewsEdge Content
  The "Premier" subscription package for all of the industry-specific content channels (advertising, biotech, consulting and defense) now include content made available from NewsEdge, an online service known for its flow of highly targeted real-time news personally managed by specialist editors. NewsEdge, formerly an independent information company, is now part of Dialog. The NewsEdge content now available to DialogPRO Premier subscribers includes both industry and market news relevant to the chosen content channel, as well as major breaking international and regionalized news, all hand picked by NewsEdge's editorial staff.
  
  
• Personalized Interfaces
  DialogPRO subscribers are now presented at login with their own version of DialogPRO based on their chosen subscription packages. Only those information sources appropriate for each subscription tier are displayed onscreen.

"DialogPRO is an important step for us," said Dialog's Martin. "We've taken the best of Dialog's content and information management tools and made them available to the small business person in a user-friendly environment and at predictable, manageable costs.

"We believe DialogPRO will have positive bottom-line impact on the professional lives of its subscribers," he said.

Martin added that Dialog will continue to demonstrate its commitment to high-value information solutions for small businesses. He said additional enhancements to DialogPRO will be announced in 2003, including expanded content channel options that leverage the content resources of Dialog and other Thomson businesses. DialogPRO is modeled after WestlawPRO, a packaged pricing option for small law firms offered by West, also a Thomson business.

- Ends -

About Dialog
Dialog, a pioneer in developing the technology behind electronic information retrieval, is the world leader in providing online-based information services to organizations seeking competitive advantages in such fields as business, science, engineering, finance and law.

Today, Dialog's online services — offered through the Dialog®, Dialog Profound®, Dialog DataStar™, NewsEdge and Intelligence Data brands — give users the ability to precisely retrieve data from more than 1.4 billion unique records, accessible via the Internet or through delivery to enterprise intranets. Searchable content includes articles and reports from thousands of real-time news feeds, newspapers, broadcast transcripts and trade publications, plus research reports and analyst notes providing support for financial decision-making, as well as in-depth repositories of scientific and technical data, patents, trademarks and other intellectual property data.

Corporate librarians, knowledge managers, other information professionals and end-users at business, professional and government organizations in more than 100 countries prize Dialog services for their depth and breadth of content, precision searching and speed.

Based in Cary, N.C., USA, Dialog has operations in 31 other countries worldwide. For more information about Dialog, please visit www.dialog.com. Or, please call (U.S./Canada) 800-3-DIALOG or (U.S.) 919-462-8600. Dialog's London office may be reached at (44) (0) 207-940-6900.

About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com, with 2001 revenues of US$7.2 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software applications and tools to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).

Designated trademarks used herein are the property of The Dialog Corporation or its subsidiaries. Registered marks are registered by The Dialog Corporation or its subsidiaries with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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