First Research Expands Product Abilities, Launches New Website

Industry Intelligence Solution Improves Offering Based on Customer Feedback, Needs

Raleigh, NC – September 28, 2005 – First Research Inc., the leading industry intelligence company, announced today that it has enhanced its industry intelligence solution with improved research and communication capabilities designed to better support sales professionals in each phase of the sales process.

First Research arms sales teams with the industry intelligence tools needed to successfully engage sales prospects. Industry Profiles, First Research’s core product, provide the information sales professionals need to quickly learn about a target industry. Covering nearly 200 industries, each Industry Profile is updated quarterly and highlights critical industry trends, challenges and opportunities. In addition to Industry Profiles, annual subscribers also receive Call Prep Sheets - one-page overviews of each industry and Email Alerts which provide the most recent updates on selected industries and are delivered directly to subscribers on a quarterly basis.

Based on feedback and input from its current customers and prospects, First Research has made the following enhancements:

Sort by Opportunity Rating - The ‘Opportunity Rating’ indicates estimates of industry performance vs. industry risk over a period of one to two years. Users can now sort the Industry Profiles list by the Opportunity Rating, improving analysis of potential markets and opportunities.

Google Search – In an effort to help users find the information they need more efficiently, searching First Research is now ‘Powered by Google’. The addition of Google’s proprietary search algorithms will improve keyword search abilities and the navigational functionality of the product.

Profile Feedback – First Research’s customer base of more than 40,000 sales professionals collectively amasses a plethora of knowledge and wisdom. Customers now have the ability to send feedback directly to First Research regarding specific profiles for review by its research team, allowing for user input, increased accuracy and improved customer service.

“Our goal at First Research is to provide the most accurate, concise industry intelligence in a user-friendly format tailored to effectively support sales teams throughout the entire sales cycle,” said Bobby Martin, First Research president and co-founder. “Through our own research and regular interaction with customers, we are continually updating and improving the First Research solution in support of this objective.”

In conjunction with these new product enhancements, First Research also launched a new website focused on improved ease of use and navigation for current customers, partners and others interested in First Research Industry Intelligence. The new site includes enhanced product information, details about vertically focused solutions, subscription information tailored for a variety of users, and a wealth of tools and resources designed to help sales professionals gain an edge in every stage of the sales cycle.

About First Research
First Research is the leading industry intelligence company that helps sales teams perform faster and smarter, open doors and close more deals. First Research performs the “heavy lifting” by synthesizing hundreds of sources into an easy to digest format a sales person can consume very quickly to better understand a prospect’s or client’s business issues. First Research updates each Industry Profile quarterly and pushes out Email Alerts to ensure content is both timely and top of mind. Customers include leading companies in banking, technology, telecommunications, business process outsourcing and professional services such as Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and Sprint. Used by over 40,000 sales professionals, First Research can benefit any organization which has prospects in multiple industries. First Research is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.firstresearch.com.

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Media Contacts:
Shawn Ramsey
Crossroads Public Relations (on behalf of First Research)
(919) 359-0947 (office)
(919) 621-0737 (mobile)
sramsey@crossroadspr.com

Kristin W. Bear
Crossroads Public Relations (on behalf of First Research)
(919) 784-0445 (office)
(919) 349-1856 (mobile)
kbear@crossroadspr.com