Victoria R. Fash Appointed EVP and Chairman of IMS

    WESTPORT, Conn., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant Corporation (NYSE: CZT)
today announced the formation of a Healthcare Information Services (HCIS)
business unit to provide global information solutions to the pharmaceutical
and healthcare industries.  Victoria R. Fash was named HCIS executive vice
president and will serve concurrently as chairman and chief executive officer
of IMS, reporting to Robert E. Weissman, Cognizant chairman and chief
executive officer.
    "Cognizant's strategic direction for growth is healthcare," said Weissman.
"Today, IMS is the premier provider of market information and decision-support
services to the pharmaceutical industry.  Our HCIS unit builds on IMS's
preeminent position to expand into the broader healthcare information market
worldwide."
    Cognizant's Healthcare Information Services unit is composed of IMS and
the Emerging Markets Group.  IMS is the leading global provider of sales
management and market research information to pharmaceutical companies.  Sales
management services track the sale of prescription drugs to the point of final
distribution in 30 countries, representing more than 70 percent of worldwide
pharmaceutical usage.  IMS market research products report national usage by
product and therapeutic class through pharmacy and hospital distribution
channels.  Key extensions to IMS services currently underway include the
launch of Xtrend prescription information services in Europe, and geographical
expansion of electronic sales territory management services.
    Cognizant's Emerging Markets Group is composed of Erisco, Cognizant
Technology Solutions, and Cognizant Enterprises.  Erisco is a provider of
software-based administrative and analytical solutions to the healthcare
industry.  Its Facets(TM) client/server system offers high-quality, low cost
solutions to managed care organizations.  Cognizant Technology Solutions, an
outsourcer of software applications and development services, provides
year 2000 conversion services to major clients, including First Data
Corporation, Aetna Life Insurance Company of Canada, and the Pacific Stock
Exchange.  Cognizant Enterprises, the company's venture capital business,
invests in emerging healthcare technology businesses and has generated
$43.6 million in shareholder returns in 1997.
    "Vickie Fash's understanding of these businesses is second to none," said
Weissman.  "She actively contributes to the management of Cognizant, including
setting strategic direction and making key financial and operating decisions,
while representing the corporation to the investment community.  This
combination of strategic, operational and financial skills provides the
perspective needed to lead the evolution of our healthcare business."
    Fash has served as Cognizant's executive vice president and chief
financial officer since April 1996.  She was elected senior vice
president--business strategy of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in 1995, and
played a key role in the strategic restructuring of D&B into three
independent, publicly held companies.  Fash began her career at D&B in 1991
and held progressively responsible executive positions, including vice
president, business operations.
    In 1985, Fash joined Management Science America (MSA), which was acquired
by D&B in 1989 and merged with D&B's McCormack & Dodge (M&D) division.  Based
in London, she engineered the consolidation of MSA with M&D business
operations in Europe, Japan and South America.
    Fash graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Illinois in 1975 with
a bachelors of science degree, majoring in computer science, and subsequently
received an M.B.A. with honors there in 1978.  She serves on the board of
directors of Orion Capital Corporation.
    Cognizant Corporation integrates information and technology to create
business insight.  Its principal operating units are IMS, which offers global
information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, and
Nielsen Media Research, the leader in audience measurement for electronic
media.  Cognizant also is the largest shareholder of Gartner Group, the
premier provider of research and advisory services to the information
technology industry.

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