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Japan Business Computer Co. Standardizes On Astea's AllianceEnterprise with iMode Mobile CRMMajor Japanese IT Services Company Is Showcase Installation For How AllianceEnterprise CRM Software Configures to User RequirementsHORSHAM, Pa., Dec. 3 / -- Astea International Inc. (Nasdaq: ATEA - news) announced that Japan Business Computer Co., Ltd. (JBCC) has implemented a Kanji version of Astea's AllianceEnterprise Suite to manage delivery of IT services throughout Japan. JBCC is deploying AllianceEnterprise with NTT DoCoMo's iMode cell phone Internet service for remote system access anytime, anywhere by mobile engineers. AllianceEnterprise also is integrated with JBCC's J.D. Edwards ERP software.Astea is a leading global provider of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solutions for companies that sell and service capital equipment. JBCC, whose largest stockholder is IBM Japan, is a leading provider of IT services in Japan with 16 branches, 74 service offices and approximately 12,000 companies under contract. ``We firmly believe this is the first integration of iMode with a major CRM product,'' said Jacques Cormier, vice president of software solutions at Astea International. ``Along with the Kanji language displays and reporting, and other system modifications using AllianceEnterprise's iStudio tools, JBCC represents a showcase installation for how AllianceEnterprise configures to user environments.'' iMode is a brand and a service of wireless Internet connection available only from NTT DoCoMo in Japan. The technology's success factors of low costs and continuous Internet access from smart phones are ideal for mobile CRM applications with AllianceEnterprise. Astea's standard suite of mobile options with AllianceEnterprise for sales, service and professional services applications includes laptops, hand- helds, pagers and cell phones. Moving to commercial software was a major change for JBCC, a company that had always developed its own systems. JBCC cited development costs and time- to-market advantages as incentives for working with outside companies to re- engineer and standardize their national service delivery system. JBCC sought a commercially available open system architecture that could easily integrate complementary systems and new technology products. ``An open system enables JBCC to respond rapidly to future changes in the IT services market,'' said Mr. Kazuo Fukui, JBCC's general manager of service business planning. ``Compared to competitive package software products, AllianceEnterprise fulfilled our selection criteria best and cost the least to implement.'' JBCC is using AllianceEnterprise to manage delivery of IT services with integrated contract management, customer service call center, field service dispatch and logistics, inventory management, and conventional web access with the system's Alliance Mobile option. In addition to the added iMode and J.D. Edwards integration, AllianceEnterprise is connected to JBCC's CTI server and Lotus Notes groupware. Previously, JBCC's mobile service engineers depended on pagers, conventional telephones, fax and office staff to complete assignments. It was a time-consuming process that required several employees to become involved with the same job. AllianceEnterprise and iMode enable JBCC's engineers to work independently with direct access to the management system, reducing labor costs per job in addition to a 30% savings on communications costs. The new efficiencies in service delivery also help engineers to complete jobs faster for higher customer satisfaction. The complex implementation was completed in only nine months. About Astea International Astea International Inc. (www.astea.com) specializes in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions for companies that sell, service and support equipment. Astea solutions integrate, automate and streamline business processes for sales and marketing, customer contact centers, field service, professional services and mobile CRM, and integrate with back-office systems. Astea's solutions are used in multiple industries to improve productivity, customer satisfaction, profitability and top-line revenue growth. Astea offers over twenty years of CRM industry experience and supports a global client base. 2001 Astea International Inc. Astea is a registered trademark and AllianceEnterprise Suite is a trademark 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 AllianceEnterprise, 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, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Editorial Contact: Joe Mitchell Gregory FCA 610 642 8253 joe@gregoryfca.com top of page |
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