ATLANTA, GEORGIA, USA - ERDAS, Inc., announces that MapSheets Express 1.3, the latest version of the leading free geo-browser for imagery and map data, is now available online at www.erdas.com/msx and www.terraserver.com . Key enhancements in MapSheets Express 1.3 feature the inclusion of LizardTech’s (Seattle, WA) MrSID imaging technology, and improved TIFF and ERDAS IMG file handling.

MapSheets Express was the first free geo-browser to provide Microsoft Office users with desktop viewing capabilities for exploring geographical data and preparing simple maps for the Web, a report, or a multi-media presentation. Since its release in March 1999, over 20,000 copies of the software have been downloaded from the Web, with a recent surge that topped 4,000 downloads within hours of the availability of Area 51 imagery on the Terra Server Web site.

“As the leading file format in the geospatial market, MrSID is a perfect fit for MapSheets Express,” said Tom Foley, director of product marketing for LizardTech. “MapSheets Express has taken geospatial imagery from a niche market into the hands of mainstream consumers. Our goal at LizardTech is exactly the same, and we’re extremely pleased to be working with ERDAS.”

MapSheets Express employs Microsoft Windows technology that allows users to copy and paste maps into a Word report or PowerPoint presentation, or save as Web pages. Data and resulting maps are easily shared with anyone who has a Web browser on their desktop.

MapSheets Express 1.3 offers accelerated handling of very large data sets, exceeding the performance of other freely-distributed viewing tools that have offered limited viewing capabilities of images bigger than a few megabytes in size. MapSheets Express uses industry standard data formats, breaking down the barriers between proprietary formats and users.

For more information about MapSheets Express and other geographic imaging solutions from ERDAS, contact (tel.: +1 404-248-9000, toll free: +1 877-GO ERDAS (463-7327), or visit www.erdas.com ).

About ERDAS, Inc.

ERDAS pioneered the first PC-based geographic image processing system and for over 21 years has set the standard for multi-functional geographic imaging systems. Today, more than 30,000 installations of ERDAS software are helping organizations around the world to visualize, manipulate, analyze, measure, and integrate any type of geographic imagery and geospatial information into 2D and 3D environments. More information is available at www.erdas.com .

ERDAS is a registered trademark, and MapSheets Express is a trademark of, ERDAS, Inc. All other trademarks and brand names are the properties of their respective owners.

About LizardTech

Founded in 1992, LizardTech is a privately-held company focused on innovative solutions that provide users of all levels with bandwidth optimization and instant access to high-resolution, multipurpose digital images and multimedia content. The company licensed Generation I of its MrSID technology from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and acquired its DjVu technology from AT&T Labs. LizardTech is now integrating its next-generation image software into a wide variety of platforms and applications under its Chromafire Imaging Solutions brand.

LizardTech’s innovative technology has been recognized by its customers and integration partners, with its technologies on more than 15 million desktops and integrated into over 200 applications. Additional information about the Seattle-based company can be found at www.lizardtech.com. LizardTech Europe is located in the Netherlands and can be contacted via email at: info-europe@lizardtech.com.