CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 1997--Metasys Inc., based in Charlotte, N.C., has been named one of the fastest growing companies in the country by Inc. magazine, which today released its annual ranking of the Inc. 500, the comprehensive guide to America's fastest-growing private companies.

The Inc. 500, profiled in a special October issue of the magazine, is an exclusive report on the companies and CEOs who are changing the face of American business. Noteworthy alumni include such household names as Microsoft, Timberland, Dominos Pizza, and Patagonia.

Metasys(R) is a leader in the development of three-tier client/server transportation management solutions for large enterprises. Metasys Enterprise Transportation Management (ETM) provides comprehensive management of shipment planning, shipment execution, and post-shipment activities. The full-life-cycle Metasys approach means that each process in the shipment life cycle not only works hand-in-glove to reinforce other transportation processes, but also integrates with other information systems throughout an organization to deliver an extensive range of enterprise benefits.

The Metasys ETM suite includes: MetaFreight(R), a comprehensive transportation resource planning and management system; MetaYard(R), a flexible yard management system; MetaPool(R), an advanced pool distribution management system; MetaStation(TM), an efficient shipping station management system; connectETM(TM), a suite of standardized gateway products; and WebETM(TM), a Java-enabled Enterprise Transpiration Management (ETM) system.

"Our company's growth this year has been fueled by our strategic focus on extending and deepening ETM's functionality while not competing in every segment of the supply chain management space," said Patrick Thean, president and CEO of Metasys. "The outlook for the future includes expansion into international markets. In addition to further incorporating Internet technologies into our product features to provide our customers with the latest technologies available to fuel their growth and ours. As a result, we look forward to being included on this prestigious Inc. 500 listing for years to come."

California tops the Inc. 500 with 94 companies on the list. Texas is second with 39 firms, while Virginia (33), Florida (28) and Illinois (26) round out the top five. Firms on the latest Inc. 500 ranking have an average of 121 employees and, collectively, have created 60,436 jobs. This year, the average five-year growth rate of the Inc. 500 firms is 1,598%; they generated 1996 dates of $9 billion. Computers and business services are the most heavily represented industries on the list (286 companies), followed by consumer goods and services (47), telecommunications (38) and health care (26).

This year marks the 16th year that Inc. has charted the progress of America's most innovative and successful entrepreneurs. To be eligible for the Inc. 500, companies have to be independent and privately held through 1996, and must demonstrate a sales increase from fiscal year 1995 to 1996. Holding companies and regulated banks and utilities are not eligible. Inc. verified all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants, and by conducting interviews with company officials.

Inc. is the only magazine written for the men and women who own and manage small to midsized, fast-growing companies -- America's entrepreneurs. Each issue helps its 2.7 million readers by providing expert advice and practical solutions as they face the opportunities, pitfalls, and rewards of growing a company, from startup to full-managed enterprise. -0-

Metasys and Enterprise Transport Management (ETM) are registered trademarks of Metasys Inc. All other company or product names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Crescent Communications

Barbie Pressly, 770/698-8650 x202