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APAC Customer Services, marchFIRST Expand Strategic AllianceCHICAGO and DEERFIELD, Ill., Sept. 14 -- APAC Customer Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: APAC), a leading provider of comprehensive, outsourced, customer relationship management solutions (CRM), and marchFIRST, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRCH), a leading global professional services company, today announced the two companies have expanded their strategic alliance.Under the expanded alliance, which builds on an agreement announced in December 1999, marchFIRST will assist APAC Customer Services in developing its next-generation eCRM platform -- designed to enhance, customize and manage the online customer experience -- and provide professional services to APAC Customer Services and its customers. marchFIRST also will actively promote APAC Customer Services' technology and services as part of its CRM offering to clients. ``marchFIRST's unrivaled global scale extends the reach of our web-based customer care solutions to a more diverse set of e-business companies, particularly in emerging and middle markets,'' said Peter Leger, President and Chief Executive Officer, APAC Customer Services, Inc. ``APAC Customer Services and marchFIRST are industry-leading companies with complementary products and services, and we believe this alliance will expand the client base of both organizations.'' The companies intend to capitalize on growth opportunities in the CRM market, particularly for web-based customer care, and forge new client relationships by leveraging each other's strengths. The global CRM market, estimated at $200 billion today, is expected to grow to $500 billion by 2005, according to Direct Marketing magazine, International Data Corporation and Lehman Brothers. And, according to a recent Datamonitor study, the annual growth rate for web-based CRM is predicted to accelerate from 49 percent in 1999 to more than 70 percent in 2001. ``By adding another piece to our CRM offering, the expanded alliance with APAC Customer Services puts marchFIRST in a stronger position to capitalize on the exploding market for CRM solutions,'' said Robert Bernard, marchFIRST Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ``Whether a company wants to implement a CRM package, turn over development and management to an application services provider or completely outsource its customer-care operation, marchFIRST can provide the right solution to meet its needs.'' About APAC Customer Services and CustomerAssistance.com APAC Customer Services, Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) solutions for Fortune 1000, mid-tier and ``dot.com'' companies in the financial services, telecommunications, retail, insurance, technology, automotive, travel and health care sectors. CustomerAssistance.com, a wholly-owned subsidiary, delivers a full suite of electronic CRM (e-CRM) products and services, including e.PAC(SM), a multimedia platform that supports a broad range of integrated, e-commerce-based customer interaction capabilities. Expanding upon its core competency of CRM solutions, APAC Customer Services recently added solutions integration services to its array of customer care programs. This new business unit -- Aligned Customer Relationship Solutions(sm) (ACRS) -- leverages the company's flexible business model and focused on aligning with clients to implement customer care solutions specific to their needs. To help its clients better manage relationships with their customers, APAC Customer Services develops and delivers end-to-end customer care, customer acquisition and Web-enabled CRM programs. Through these offerings, APAC Customer Services offers superior, real-time customer care via the Web and traditional call centers. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, the company employs approximately 18,000 people and has 55 customer interaction centers across the nation. For more information, call 800-OUTSOURCE or visit www.apaccustomerservices.com or www.customerassistance.com . About marchFIRST marchFIRST is a leading global professional services firm that creates winners in the new digital economy by helping companies build visionary brands, business models, systems and processes. This multidisciplinary approach empowers companies to transform their business, drive innovation and become market leaders. Headquartered in Chicago, the Company has approximately 9,400 employees in 14 countries worldwide. Its web site is www.marchFIRST.com . Aligned Customer Relationship Solutions (ACRS) and e.PAC are service marks of APAC Customer Services, Inc. Forward Looking Statements This release contains certain statements that describe the Company's assessments of future business conditions and the outlook for the Company based on available information. Whenever possible, the Company has identified these ``forward-looking'' statements by words such as ``anticipates,'' ``believes,'' ``expects,'' ``estimates,'' and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions the Company believes are reasonable; however, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by these statements. Readers are encouraged to review the section captioned ``Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements'' in the Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2000, and the disclosures contained in the Company's 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarter ended July 2, 2000 which describe other important factors that may impact the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. Editorial Contact: Alyssa Wright The Townsend Agency 858-457-4888 ext. 141 awright@townsendagency.com top of page |
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