Press Release
February 6, 2001
Antenna Software Introduces ASP-Based Field Service Management System
Web, Wireless Software Reduces Operating Costs by 30-50%; Affordable Delivery Model Meets the Needs of Small, Mid-Market Businesses
New York, NY - Antenna Software, Inc., the leading provider of Internet-based, wireless field service management solutions, announces today that it has completed the rollout of Antenna ServiceTools ASP, a hosted version of Antenna's enterprise Web and wireless field service management software. Easy to use and with low upfront investment, ServiceTools meets the needs of many small and mid-market service providers for improving client satisfaction and increasing profits using the newest technologies.
"Antenna ServiceTools can be installed quickly with no lengthy deployment time or expensive customization, no significant investment in IT infrastructure," said Peter Semmelhack, founder and CEO of Antenna Software. "Small and mid-market companies can immediately take full advantage of this pure XML-based, Web and wireless solution to automate their entire service operation, and to realize 30-50% cost savings administratively and operationally. In addition, ServiceTools runs on all the most popular wireless platforms such as Motorola PageWriter, RIM BlackBerry, Palm Pilot and Pocket PC."
According to AMR Market Research, the ASP market is projected to grow at a CAGR rate of 153% to $4.7 billion by 2004. Gartner Group predicts that the global ASP market will surpass $25.3 billion by 2004. "In the field service industry, where small and mid sized service providers represent over 80% of the market," Mr. Semmelhack added. "ASP-based solutions are poised to make an enormous impact."
With application hosting, the ServiceTools application and data are installed and maintained at Antenna's facilities. Instead of buying the software or developing it in-house, service providers can simply outsource it to Antenna Software, according to Mr. Semmelhack. "This allows service providers to concentrate on what they do best - delivering great service to customers."
A complete field service management system achitected for the Internet, ServiceTools connects service managers, technicians, inventory managers and customers in real time. It enables everyone in the service delivery chain to track service requests and service status via the Web and wireless devices, ensures that parts are ordered and shipped, and service is delivered - eliminating telephone bottlenecks and communications breakdowns.
In addition, adds Mr. Semmelhack, ServiceTools brings the power of Web and wireless technologies to core operations such as dispatch and scheduling, purchase orders and invoicing, contract and warranty management, and inventory management. Integrated into the application is an information and e-procurement network which pumps dynamic, real-time logistics, training, marketing or traffic data to the fingertips of the service provider. "The result," said Mr. Semmelhack. "is an end-to-end, real time service delivery chain with no missing links."
Antenna is offering a promotional program for ServiceTools ASP starting immediately. During this period, participants will receive extended bonus service for multiple months with commitment for a term contract.
100% Web-Native and Wireless
ServiceTools is designed to leverage the latest Internet technologies, and can be accessed via any industry-standard Web browser with no additional hardware or software. ServiceTools' features and functionalities also extend to the most popular wireless platforms such as Motorola Pagewriter, RIM BlackBerry, Pocket PC and Palm Pilot.
Full-featured and easy to use, ServiceTools wireless applications communicate with the ServiceTools Web server via a wireless service provider network. Data is updated in real time as long as the technician is in range. When out of range, ServiceTools operates in "store and forward" mode, allowing the technician to work offline. As long as the signal returns, all transactions and data will be automatically transferred to the server. There is no manual data synchronization required.
Maximum Data Integrity and Security
Antenna Software manages and supports the ServiceTools application over Antenna's secure and reliable ASP infrastructure. Antenna is responsible for maintaining multiple levels of security, power, Internet bandwidth, and stable environmental conditions, so that authorized users can access the application 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 99.9% uptime. Antenna's dedicated staff of system administrators, database administrators and support personnel handles all the ongoing maintenance, including backups, disaster recovery processes and upgrades.
About Antenna Software
Founded in 1998, Antenna Software is the leading provider of integrated Web and wireless solutions for the service industry. Based in New York's Silicon Alley, Antenna products enable service providers of all sizes to profitably deliver high quality service to their customers. Antenna supports a growing client base of leading IT services organizations across North America. Leading computer parts suppliers such as Ingram Micro and Tech Data are registered on Antenna's e-procurement network. Antenna's partners include Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), Nortel Network's Clarify, Motorola and Applied Theory. For more information about Antenna Software, call 212-343-2866 or visit www.antennasoftware.com.
