Global IQX signs distribution agreement with Hemera Technologies

Deal to bring business-themed image collections to ConnectInsure insurance portal

Ottawa, Ontario — June 4, 2003
Global IQX Inc., developer of the ConnectInsure insurance portal that enables insurance professionals to conduct online quotations and enrollment transactions, today announced a distribution agreement with Hemera Technologies Inc., an award-winning provider of digital images and graphics applications.

According to the terms of the agreement, Global IQX will distribute Hemera’s graphics collections through the ConnectInsure Web portal. This will enable insurance professionals using ConnectInsure to access images for use in business documents such as presentations, Web pages and brochures.

“Hemera’s image collections will provide another value-added feature to the ConnectInsure site,” said Michael de Waal, president and founder of Global IQX. “Insurance professionals accessing ConnectInsure for comparative, online quotes can now quickly and easily obtain images to add visual impact to their own marketing collateral.”

The ConnectInsure Web site will add Hemera’s images in a new section called CI ImageTrends, consisting of two business-themed graphics collections. The Business Essentials Collection offers a variety of stock, clip art and Photo-Objectsä images for business communications, while the Business Select Collection features images specific to the finance and insurance industries.

“These business-themed collections are ideal for busy professionals who want to created their own eye-catching documents,” said Arlen Bartsch, executive vice president of business development for Hemera. “CI ImageTrends offers total convenience and portability — ConnectInsure users can obtain the right business image online, anytime.”

ConnectInsure users can sample CI ImageTrends by downloading 100 free, sample images to use as they wish. CI ImageTrends will be offered as a subscription service for users of the ConnectInsure Web site. The Business Essentials Collection, which offers unlimited access to 75,000 images, is priced at US $19.95/week or US $99.95/year. The Business Select Collection, which includes unlimited access to 5,000 images, is available for US $99.95/year.

Used by more than 1,700 licensed insurance professionals across the country, ConnectInsure is a Web-based application powered by the IQX Platform. Available free of charge, ConnectInsure offers plan advisors, brokers and other certified benefit planners access to an instant, online quoting service. Using traditional channels, it can take up to six weeks to gather the detailed information for a client quote and presentation. ConnectInsure delivers all the same information in a few minutes.

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Hemera
Hemera Technologies Inc. (founded 1997) creates award-winning digital images and graphics applications for creative professionals, business users and consumers. The Company markets and distributes its products through sales channels including original equipment manufacturers and retailers in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Hemera also markets and sells its products directly via the Company’s Web sites — www.ablestock.com and www.graphicsdesk.com. Hemera possesses one of the world’s largest collections of wholly owned, royalty-free digital images. For more information, visit www.hemera.com.

Hemera and the Hemera logo are trademarks of Hemera Technologies Inc. All other products, logos or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

About Global IQX, Inc.
Global IQX, www.globaliqx.com, established in 1999, specializes in configurable, component-based sales and services automation solutions that streamline and optimize business processes for North American group benefits insurance organizations. Offered as a complete suite or individually, these solutions automate rating, underwriting, renewal and enrollment supporting all lines and market segments. Global IQX production proven solutions increase operational efficiency and reduce cost while promoting improved communication and interaction within and across departments. Developed and delivered by a team with group insurance depth and experience, these solutions give business users more control, with less dependence on IT resources. Clients include many of North America’s largest insurance companies.