HORSHAM, Pa., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Astea International Inc. (Company
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Studies) (Nasdaq: ATEA - News), a global provider of service management solutions, today announced that customers worldwide have rolled out its Alliance Mobile solution. Companies have empowered their field technicians with access to the Astea Alliance suite of service management processes to increase productivity and decrease costs. A fundamental differentiator for the Alliance Mobile offering is that the software application is on the mobile device, fully integrated with back-end processes and optimized for workflows of remote service professional, unlike other field service mobile solutions that simply connect to back office systems.
Alliance Mobile enables field professionals to execute complete sales to service business processes, from opening service calls, looking up customer history data, logging use of trunk stock or warehouse parts, issuing returns, capturing customer signatures and tracking time and expenses. It also allows the field professional to sell additional parts, contracts, and equipment. Alliance Mobile offers untethered wireless applications with synchronized client databases for laptops and Pocket PC devices, as well as direct-connect, real-time wireless two-way pagers and mobile smart phones.
"Using the Astea Alliance Mobile solution has delivered tremendous gains in efficiency," said James Cupo, systems support engineer at Diagnostica Stago, Inc. "It was a nightmare to get field engineers to submit paperwork in a timely manner, and a manual effort in the home office to record their services and file the paperwork. When it's all recorded on Astea Alliance, there's no more paper involved - we don't have to worry about filing anything.
"In addition, using the solution has made significant improvements in how we manage our accounts and personnel in general," continued Mr. Cupo. "Now, we're able to see how many calls are open or how many sites are still to be visited - in real time. Field personnel are able to manage their time better as well. It's really worked out well as a time management tool."
Business Benefits of Alliance Mobile:
Increase profits and customer satisfaction by
-- Ensuring successful completion of service engagements
-- Improving utilization of technicians
Improve billing and cash flow through
-- Real-time data capture
-- Customer signature for acceptance
-- Fewer disputes and inquiries
Reduce the cost of service operations by
-- Eliminating manual paper trails
-- Capturing data at point of service
-- Aiding compliance, speed and accuracy of reporting
"We are seeing a solid increase in demand and deployments of our mobile solution," said Marikit Klein-Smith, vice president of marketing at Astea International. "Many mobile projects were put on hold after the economic downturn and global political unrest. But service organizations are now pressing on with cost containment and strategic top line growth initiatives of which mobility is key."
About Astea International
Astea is a global provider of service management software that addresses the unique needs of companies who manage capital equipment, mission critical assets and human capital. The Astea Alliance suite supports the complete service lifecycle, from lead generation and project quotation to service and billing through asset retirement. It integrates and optimizes critical business processes for Contact Center, Field Service, Depot Repair, Logistics, Professional Services, Sales and Marketing. Astea extends its application suite with portal, analytics and mobile solutions. Since its inception in 1979, Astea has licensed applications to companies in a wide range of sectors including information technology, telecommunications, instruments and controls, business systems, and medical devices.
http://www.astea.com. Service Smart. Enterprise Proven.
Astea and Astea Alliance are trademarks of Astea International Inc. All other company and product names contained herein are trademarks of the respective holders.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect future results. Among these risk factors are possibilities that the companies mentioned in this press release may not purchase licenses for Astea Alliance, the continuing acceptance of Astea's products, general competitive pressures in the marketplace, and continued overall growth in the customer relationship management solutions industry. Further information regarding these as well as other key risk factors and meaningful cautionary statements that could affect the Company's financial results are included at length in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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