Chicago, IL, January 8, 2001—Plural, Inc., a leading builder of eBusinesses, announced a strategic relationship with uBid, Inc., a leading online auction and eCommerce site, to optimize uBid’s site performance.

uBid’s 1.9 million registered users, comprised of consumers and small-to-mid-size businesses, can bid on a wide range of brand name merchandise 24-hours a day using sophisticated proprietary auction technology.

"Plural’s track record of delivering mission critical systems on the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform, in addition to their complex architecture work, represented the best choice to take our unique auction system to the next level of performance," said Pablo Ugaz, CTO of uBid. Plural was able to deliver major system improvements under a very tight timeframe."

Plural rearchitected key pieces of uBid’s infrastructure to meet specific site performance and scalability needs. The architecture enhancements and the move to Windows 2000 resulted in improved auction data processing time that delivers faster bid results to uBid customers.

"This has been a very rewarding relationship with uBid. We’re pleased to deliver the level of improved site performance and optimization that will enable uBid to generate faster bid results to its customers and handle increased daily bidding activity," added Alex Brown, General Manager of Plural’s Chicago office.

About uBid
uBid, a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc., is a leading online auction and e-commerce site that offers consumers and small-to-mid-sized businesses the opportunity to purchase a wide range of brand name merchandise, often at greatly reduced prices, through live-action bidding using sophisticated auction technology. The company’s Internet auctions feature a rotating selection of more than 12,000 items in each daily auction. uBid offers auctions in more than 12 different product categories, including: computer equipment, consumer electronics, home and leisure, sports and recreation, jewelry and gifts, apparel, home improvement products, art, appliances, and travel and events. In addition, consumers may participate in the new uBid Auction Exchange marketplace, in which third-party vendors and consumers list their items for auction.

With more than 1.9 million registered users, uBid is committed to providing all customers with the highest quality auction experience on the Internet and offers supplier warranties on most consumer products. uBid also meets Better Business Bureau Online standards, which gives customers the confidence and security to bid safely online. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.ubid.com.

Plural builds eBusinesses. Plural is propelled by nearly 600 skilled strategists, creative specialists and technologists working in ten offices nationwide. The firm draws upon its 11-year history delivering more than 1,500 critical business-to-business and business-to-consumer solutions to power Global 2000 companies and Internet startups. Plural’s deep vertical expertise is centered on financial services, telecommunications, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, media, retail, and professional services.