Columbia Ultimate Signs Contract with EDS to Provide Electronic Payment Options for Collection Customers

VANCOUVER, Wash. ? Columbia Ultimate, a leader in collections management software, today announced a contract with global IT services leader EDS providing Columbia Ultimate clients secure, convenient electronic payment for funds being collected.

The contract provides Columbia Ultimate clients an alternative to receiving payments by check or by mail. Now, through EDS*Pay, Columbia Ultimate customers can accept payments electronically from consumers? saving and checking accounts, debit cards and credit cards. By expanding payment options and increasing convenience, Columbia Ultimate expects collections to increase in speed and volume.

?This is great news for our clients. With so many convenient options available, from electronic payment straight from their bank accounts or credit cards, to transactions on the Web or by toll-free number, it will be much easier for consumers to pay. We really expect agencies and collection departments to increase revenue and accelerate their collections efforts with this new tool from EDS,? said Tim Hickey, vice president of product management and marketing for Columbia Ultimate.

Consumers ready to make a payment can now either go to a Web site for easy payment options or call a 1-800 number. If the customer wants personal attention, a collector can walk them through the process.

?Working with Columbia Ultimate lets us reach out to collectors with our proven service,? said Jim Pitts, head of payment services for EDS. ?EDS*Pay is proven to increase speed and volume of payments, it?s an ideal solution for companies looking to collect on funds.?

EDS will waive all set-up fees for Columbia Ultimate customers. The electronic payment feature is now available.

About Columbia Ultimate
Columbia Ultimate is the No. 1 provider in the collection agency marketplace. It provides full-service collection systems, including software, support and training for collection agencies, government agencies, utilities, hospitals, banks and other monetary recovery companies. Founded in 1979, Columbia Ultimate is headquartered in Vancouver, Wash. and has offices in Atlanta, Georgia and the U.K. For more information, visit www.columbiaultimate.com.

About EDS
EDS, the leading global services company, provides strategy, implementation, business transformation and operational solutions for clients managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the world?s best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers? trust and continuously seek improvement. EDS, with its management consulting subsidiary, A.T. Kearney, serves the world?s leading companies and governments in 60 countries. EDS reported revenues of $21.5 billion in 2001. The company?s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EDS) and the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at www.eds.com.