CSM Announces Research Agreement with LODESTAR Corporation

Atlanta, GA -- January 25, 2002 -- CSM, Inc., an Atlanta-based market research and consulting firm specializing in market intelligence for the information technology industry today announced that it has been selected by LODESTAR Corporation to conduct a company-wide customer satisfaction and loyalty analysis, a competitive analysis, a win-loss analysis, and a post-implementation evaluation.

LODESTAR Corporation is the world's leading provider of software solutions for energy companies in both regulated and deregulated environments. The LODESTAR Customer Choice Suite (CCS) is the only solution that follows the electron from generation to delivery. More than 110 LODESTAR clients worldwide use CCS for pricing, billing, load profiling and settlement, financial management and transaction management. LODESTAR solutions serve all energy market participants, including retail and distribution companies, independent system operators, regional transmission operators, and wholesale, transmission and generation companies.

We are very pleased and excited to be associated with a well respected name in the information technology and utility industry, like LODESTAR," said Frank Sanders, President of CSM. That LODESTAR decided to continue and expand their research program in 2002 is indeed a testimony to their commitment to their customers and prospects," he added.

Zesearch, Inc., an Atlanta-based competitive intelligence firm, had been conducting win-loss research for LODESTAR Corporation and now that CSM and Zesearch have merged, LODESTAR will continue its program through CSM.

Over a twelve-month period, beginning immediately, CSM will implement an on-going research program designed to evaluate the satisfaction of prospects and customers, from initial introduction through their long-term customer experience.

About CSM
Founded in July of 1991, Customer Service Marketing, Inc. provides high quality market research and competitive intelligence to a wide of industries. CSM offers both custom research services and topical industry reports within hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and retail. With global phone and Web-based interviewing services and advanced reporting capabilities, CSM is able to offer a diversified group of clients worldwide with the most comprehensive, creative, and actionable information available.

For more information, visit www.csmresearch.com or call (800) 849-6788.

About LODESTAR Corporation

LODESTAR Corporation is the world's leading provider of software solutions for energy companies in both regulated and deregulated environments. LODESTAR's Customer Choice Suite (CCS) is the only solution that follows the electron from generation to delivery. More than 110 LODESTAR clients use CCS for pricing, billing, load profiling and settlement, financial management, and transaction management. LODESTAR solutions serve all energy market participants, including retail and distribution companies, independent system operators, regional transmission operators, and wholesale, transmission, and generation companies. Shell Energy Services Company, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), TXU, Allegheny Power, BC Hydro and Duke Power are among the leading energy companies that use LODESTAR solutions to build a competitive advantage in today's dynamic market.

LODESTAR Corporation has offices in the USA and a subsidiary in the United Kingdom. Additional offices are planned for continental Europe in the coming months. LODESTAR headquarters is at Two Corporation Way, Peabody, MA 01960 USA.

For more information, visit www.lodestarcorp.com or call (888) 225-1293.

Source: CSM Research, Inc. 800-849-6788, www.csmresearch.com
Contact: bzeman@csmresearch.com