Kataweb Takes Control of Aleph Srl

[Rome, ITALY] Kataweb, the Internet
holding of Italian media conglomerate
Gruppo Editoriale Espresso,
announced that it has acquired 100 percent of software development and
integrated services company, Aleph Srl.

Looking to strengthen its in-house systems integration capabilities, Kataweb
acquired 51 percent of Pisa-based Aleph last June. The company, founded in 1992,
had sales of $4 million last year in four market segments: system
integration for B2C portals; e-commerce outsourcing; analysis and software
applications; and the sale of software packages.

According to a company spokesman, the growing interest in the Internet within
the Italian business sector, in particular high-quality, new technology,
should triple Alephs sales for 2000.

Kataweb also possesses a subsidiary holding of
Uhuru Digital Design Srl, specializing in corporate
site development as well as an 8 percent share of Presto Technologies, a Boston
multimedia analysis group founded in 1998 by Media Lab Researchers. The new
purchase, giving Kataweb 100 percent control of Aleph, will strengthened the
companys presence in the Italian B2B marketplace, according to analysts.

In a separate announcement the Italian government approved Katawebs
purchase of 70 percent of Sias, a multimedia,
telecom solutions company.