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Date Posted: 04/02/2003
MAPICS Deploys BellSouth FastAccess Telecommute as Backbone of Company-Wide Telecommuting Initiative
High-Speed Internet Service Key To Helping Retain World-Class Employees, Simplifying Telecommuting Management
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2003-- BellSouth Corp. (NYSE: BLS - News) today announced that MAPICS, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM: MAPX - News), the largest global provider of extended ERP, CRM and SCM solutions committed exclusively to solving the unique challenges of manufacturers, has deployed BellSouth® FastAccess® Telecommute as the backbone of a broad, company-wide telecommuting initiative.
"Telecommuting is imperative to MAPICS and a key to maintaining excellence throughout the organization," said Sandy Hofmann, chief information and people officer, MAPICS Inc. "BellSouth shares our passion for innovation. The company understood exactly what we were trying to accomplish and designed a solution based on FastAccess Telecommute that has benefited MAPICS, our employees, and our customers."
On a daily basis, nearly half of MAPICS' 200 Atlanta-based employees telecommute. MAPICS employs approximately 750 employees worldwide. BellSouth's high-speed Internet service, which ties the remote workers and the company together, provides three benefits:
Keeping telecommuting simple: A key concern to MAPICS was working with a service provider that would make the telecommuting initiative a benefit instead of a burden to staff. BellSouth dramatically simplifies the program three ways. First, MAPICS' IT staff has a single point of contact for all employee FastAccess DSL installations. Second, for the approximately 100 Atlanta-based telecommuters, MAPICS receives just one invoice in lieu of individual expense reports. And third, because telecommuters have their own direct connections to the Internet, bandwidth at corporate facilities is not compromised.
Helping retain world-class employees: Having a well-rounded work/life balance is important to MAPICS employees, and is the driving force behind the company's telecommuting initiative. BellSouth's FastAccess Telecommute, which is up to 50 times faster than a 28.8k modem, is the key to extending MAPICS' business network to the home. It provides teleworkers - no matter where they are based - access to corporate functions in a consistent manner, including email, help desk, CRM and collaboration applications, as well as product sales tools. Through this improved work/life balance, MAPICS is better able to retain its world-class employees.
Protecting the environment: MAPICS believes firmly in corporate responsibility. Using the BellSouth-enabled telecommuting program, the company is helping improve the environment. For example, MAPICS' three-day per week telecommuting effort translates to annual savings of 845,000 miles and 47,000 gallons of gasoline.
"Telecommuting started as a mechanism to address the needs of remote or field-based employees, but has quickly become a competitive advantage for progressive organizations," added Rich Wonders, senior director of Broadband Marketing for BellSouth. "MAPICS is a clear example of the wide-ranging benefits that BellSouth FastAccess Telecommute provides."
As corporations look for ways to increase productivity, improve employee satisfaction and retention and reduce real estate, utility and office expenses, BellSouth FastAccess Telecommute enables companies to employ a tele-working program that can help accomplish these goals. The service, which is easy to implement and is managed through Web-based administration tools, enables applications such as collaborative working, distance learning, video conferencing and e-commerce. The service is further enhanced by BellSouth's widespread DSL coverage, which makes the solution available to more employees than other high-speed offerings.
About MAPICS
MAPICS is the largest global solutions provider focused exclusively on manufacturing. Building on more than 25 years of industry experience and proven success, MAPICS helps manufacturers be world class by gaining market share, operating at peak efficiency, and exceeding customer expectations. MAPICS solutions include software--extended ERP, CRM, and supply chain management--and professional services. The solutions are implemented on the two industry-leading technology platforms--Microsoft and IBM.
Headquartered in Atlanta, MAPICS has implemented solutions in more than 10,000 customer sites in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.mapics.com.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, serving more than 44 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries.
Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data solutions to large, medium and small businesses. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth also offers long distance service throughout its markets, serving both business and residential customers. The company's BellSouth Answers(SM) package combines local and long distance service with an array of calling features; wireless data, voice and e-mail services; and high-speed DSL or dial-up Internet service. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services through BellSouth® RealPages.com(SM) and The Real Yellow Pages®.
BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative data and voice services.
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Contact:
BellSouth, Atlanta
Brent Fowler, 404/829-8722
brent.fowler@bellsouth.com
or
MAPICS, Inc.
Heather Crary, 678/319-8558
heather.crary@mapics.com
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Source: BellSouth Corp.
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