THE RELEASE OF MERCURY DIRECT 4.5 OFFERS FLORISTS NEW TIME-SAVING FEATURES

DOWNERS GROVE, IL. (March 17, 2005) - Thousands of FTD florists rely on Mercury Direct each day to electronically send and receive floral orders, increasing their business and saving time. Mercury Direct continues to be FTD's most affordable send-and-receive-only option for the budget-conscious florist and brings Mercury Network access to any member with a personal computer. Today, FTD is pleased to release Mercury Direct 4.5, which provides florists with additional timesaving features and enhancements.

The benefits of Mercury Direct include immediate access to all of the Mercury Network message screens, an automatic check and print system for incoming orders and time-saving software allowing for order, message and product searches. The release of Mercury Direct 4.5 will offer florists the following three added upgraded features:

• Direct Dial Connection Method. The Direct Dial method is used to send or receive orders and eliminates the requirement to use the Internet to send and receive messages. Instead, your system uses a dedicated phone line to dial out, and send and receive messages.
• Print Notification. With the expanded print notification options, florists can personalize their alerts to either "beep" when a message has been printed, or cause a pop up message to display only when incoming messages are printed.
• Florist Search Enhancements. The florist search enhancements include new options such as criteria when auto selecting a filling florist, or default parameters to use when performing a florist search from within an order.

Other reliable benefits of Mercury Direct include:

• Send and receive orders and messages through the Mercury Network.
• Automatically store all incoming and outgoing orders and messages in an online message log.
• Search for and reply to Mercury messages through the advanced Message Search feature.
• Search a Florist directory and assign statuses and add notes to individual florists.
• Search a Facility directory, which lists information for hospitals, nursing homes and funeral homes.
• Search the FTD Selections Guide, which lists FTD Branded and everyday products that are available for sale, along with color photos, product codes, suggested retail prices and designer information.

Florists can find more information about FTD Mercury Technology and the release of Mercury Direct 4.5 from highly trained representatives at technology@ftdi.com or 800-767-3222.

About FTD Group, Inc.
FTD Group, Inc. is a holding company for FTD, Inc., which is a provider of floral services and products to member florists and a direct marketer of flowers and specialty gifts.

Press Contact
Bridget Carlson
FTD Inc.
3113 Woodcreek Drive
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: 630 724 6120
Fax: 630 724 6621
Email: bcarlson@ftdi.com

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