BURLINGTON, MA, March 19, 2002—Core-Mark International, a leading wholesale distributor throughout North America, credits Cognos business intelligence as a key competitive differentiator that is helping them pioneer their market. Using the power of the Internet and Cognos, Core-Mark has given its key customers the unique ability to instantly access and analyze critical business information over the Web and in real time. Cognos (Nasdaq: COGN; TSE: CSN) is the leading global provider of business intelligence solutions.

Core-Mark has integrated Cognos PowerPlay® Web and Impromptu® Web Reports into COMPASS, the Core-Mark Purchase Analysis System that is part of Core-Mark's eBusiness Exchange, a private portal for Core-Mark customers. This solution enables Core-Mark's customers to analyze purchase data and compare purchases on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis for all locations. The powerful drill-down capabilities in PowerPlay allow managers to view data at the store level and by individual product.

"Core-Mark serves convenience stores, drug stores, supermarkets, and gas stations across North America, many of which have several hundred or even thousands of locations. With Cognos we have given our customers unprecedented insight into their purchase data and the ability to perform analysis quickly and easily over the Web," said Amin Noormohamed, director of e-business, Core-Mark International. "Cognos offers a secure and scalable solution that has quickly become the easiest and most efficient way for our customers to report and analyze business data."

In addition, Cognos enables Core-Mark customers to ensure contract compliance. With Cognos, regional and corporate managers can instantly access reports and information that detail compliance status for regions or individual retail locations.

"Cognos delivers the industry's leading business intelligence solution for extranets, with unsurpassed performance, scalability and security that allows companies to extend and strengthen business relationships via the Web," said Dave Laverty, senior vice president, global marketing, Cognos. "The high-impact analysis and information delivered by Cognos help coordinate the extended enterprise, and create new sources of value and competitive advantage."

About Core-Mark International:
Core-Mark International is one of North America's leading wholesale distribution and logistics companies, serving organizations and retailers who are the owners and operators of convenience stores, drug stores and supermarkets across the continent. Our origins go back more than 100 years.

Headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Core-Mark International operates strategically-located, state-of-the-art distribution centers across Canada and the United States, providing extensive sales and marketing expertise to retailers.

Through the efficient distribution of quality national brand-name products, Core-Mark International touches the lives of millions of consumers.

For more information, visit our Web Site at www.core-mark.com.