Rapid Resolution, Increased Uptime and Improved Service Keeps Customers Coming Back
HORSHAM, PA and MANSFIELD, MA - September 12, 2005 - Astea International Inc. (NASDAQ: ATEA), a global service management software solutions leader, and Axeda Systems Inc., the world''''s leading provider of device relationship management (DRM) software and services, have teamed up to offer the most advanced field service management solution available today, enabling companies to dramatically increase service revenue and customer satisfaction.
The partnership combines two best-in-class solutions: Axeda® DRM, which proactively monitors deployed assets to detect operational issues, equipping service personnel with real-time diagnostic data, and Astea Alliance, which ensures that the right person is at the right place, with customer- and product-specific information and the inventory needed to resolve any issues.
The joint solution gives customers access to intelligent dispatch capabilities to minimize service call volume; logistics capabilities to streamline spare parts efficiencies; and contract management capabilities to ensure service level agreements are met. It also provides advance notice of potential product fault and performance issues to increase uptime and improve first-call resolution.
"As the service arena grows more complex, companies committed to achieving service excellence require a comprehensive solution that delivers results," said Brian Anderson, vice president of marketing at Axeda. "With Astea, we''''re offering everything companies need to deliver an outstanding customer service experience."
Specific benefits for customers include:
- Significantly lower service costs. Field and call center technicians are armed with the information they need to rapidly identify and resolve problems on the first contact.
- Greater customer satisfaction. Proactive problem detection often resolves issues before they affect the customer, dramatically increasing product uptime.
- Increased service revenue. Rapid resolution and superior on-demand customer service drive opportunities for increased revenue through increased service contract sales.
"We''''re committed to delivering total service lifecycle management support for our customers," said Frank Fesnak, vice president, Strategic Alliances, Astea. "Partnering with Axeda gives our customers seamless access to an advanced solution that provides immense insight into products deployed in the field."
Axeda''''s DRM solution creates value across the enterprise, enhancing remote service and support as well as enabling new revenue generating activities through usage tracking and software management capabilities. More information can be found at www.axeda.com.
The Astea Alliance Service Management Suite is the industry''''s only end-to-end solution helping companies worldwide maximize the value of their service operations by integrating and optimizing critical business processes. Astea Alliance is a highly scalable, customer-centric solution that seamlessly shares customer information across an organization to provide a 360-degree view of the customer. The company can be reached at 215-682-2500.
Axeda enterprise software enables a new generation of high-value remote services that maximize the value of the products you sell. Customers benefit from increased uptime and a superior product experience, while manufacturers generate increased revenue and higher customer satisfaction ratings with reduced cost of service delivery.
Axeda solutions include condition monitoring, remote repair, patch management, pay-per-use billing, preventative maintenance, performance optimization and more. These solutions enable companies to grow revenue, reduce service costs, increase customer satisfaction, and manage risk. Leading organizations such as Abbott Laboratories, Cardinal Health, EMC, Kodak Versamark, and Quantum are using Axeda solutions today. For more information about our products, services, and customers visit: www.axeda.com.
Astea International (NASDAQ: ATEA) 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, and Sales & Marketing. Astea extends its application suite with portal, business intelligence, dynamic scheduling 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.
www.astea.com. Service Smart. Enterprise Proven.
©2005 Astea International Inc. 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, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Press Contact:
Erin Nolan Smith
Corporate
+1 508-718-6351
enolan@axeda.com
Company Contact:
Debbie Geiger
Vice President of Marketing
+1-215-682-2500
dgeiger@astea.com
Media Contact:
Corporate Ink
Corinne Sheehan
+1-617-969-9192
csheehan@corporateink.com
