MDSI (MMD) News Release...here you go
There has been substantial debate on Stockhouse about the implications of this news release, with many taking the view that MDSI and BellSouth are only negotiating at this point and that this NR might have been premature. Personally, I feel that this might be true, but there are still implications that should not be ignored by EWD (and holders of EWD stock), in terms of potential market penetration for EWD. I've heard time and again that this is a big market and there's enough room for a lot of players...we'll see how things shake out today...IMO, I think that a combination of the NR and the market caused the price drop in EWD...this is a good thing however...I always think of a quote that I once heard about pullbacks being the "pause that refreshes".
MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc MMD
Shares issued 7,408,372 2000-03-14 close $104
Wednesday Mar 15 2000
Mr. Ken Miller reports
MDSI Mobile Data Solutions and BellSouth Wireless Data are negotiating to offer service organizations of any size an e-business-based, wireless work force management solution that is cost-effective and quick to deploy. The two companies have entered into negotiations to jointly sell and market the solution to medium to smaller sized utilities and home service organizations, and to move quickly into servicing the needs of additional vertical markets.
According to Ken Miller, chief executive officer of MDSI: "Forming alliances with leading network carriers is a key component in our e-business strategy. By packaging network services on BellSouth's Intelligent Wireless Network with our e-business offerings we can extend our Internet solutions and gain a new, highly knowledgeable team that can get those solutions to our customers. MDSI has worked with BellSouth for years in many vertical markets. We understand each other's solutions and customers, so this is a natural fit. I have no doubt that together we are in a much better position to bring wireless data applications to the Internet."
In Stockwatch Feb. 1, 2000, MDSI announced its e-business strategy, under which MDSI will be hosting its standard-setting Advantex work force management software, wireless connectivity software, and other mobile applications from a wireless application service provider site. On the same date, MDSI announced its first strategic Internet partner, OurHouse.com. The two companies joined forces to provide customers with real-time, on-line scheduling and wireless dispatching of home repair and home improvement services.
Relationships with wireless carriers represent one of four key channels that MDSI intends to use to sell its e-business solutions. The company also plans to offer these solutions through relationships with Internet sites like OurHouse.com that total service providers, major vertical-focused application service providers (ASP), and directly to customers.
Current negotiations call for MDSI to integrate its wireless ASP site with the nationwide BellSouth's Intelligent Wireless Network services to offer medium- to small-sized service organizations a one-stop, bundled solution. With plans to offer work force management services and network services over the Internet, MDSI and BellSouth reduce the costs and shorten the implementation cycle of traditional work force management projects, thereby eliminating barriers to adoption. The joint solution is proposed to be offered on a subscription and/or transaction fee basis, which will provide a significant recurring revenue stream for both companies.
Lew Blumstein, vice-president, enterprise and new services marketing of BellSouth Wireless Data, comments: "Integrating the nationwide BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network services with MDSI's wireless ASP solution will extend our reach in field force automation markets. It will provide us with a great opportunity to leverage our leadership position in the wireless data industry to dominate the emerging market for interactive wireless Internet-based solutions. We're building on the excellent partner relationship we have with MDSI to make wireless coverage simple and cost-effective for all types and sizes of service organizations looking to leverage the Internet and wireless data."
The two companies intend for the joint solution to be available in the third quarter of 2000.
MDSI's Advantex software suite fully integrates a company's mobile resources with the enterprise for improved and innovative customer service that wins more customers and keeps them longer. Advantex schedules mobile resources so customer requests are dealt with promptly and at guaranteed, specific appointment times. The system automatically assigns tasks to the most appropriate mobile worker, based on skill set or other factors, so that the job gets done right the first time. Advantex automatically distributes the workload, so dispatchers can focus on emergency situations and serve larger workforces and territories. It transmits job status information to the office so dispatchers and supervisors can monitor progress at-a-glance and reprioritize orders. Advantex lets mobile workers stay informed through interactive messaging with dispatchers and access to critical corporate information systems, like customer records and inventory. Advantex also reports on performance to help senior management make decisions. And it all happens wirelessly, in real time.
MDSI is able to bring industry-leading Advantex applications to the World Wide Web thanks to the extensive development effort behind its next-generation software platform that will be released later this quarter. The next-generation of Advantex is an even more robust, flexible solution that can be readily adapted to changes in a company's business. MDSI has aggressively redeveloped the product with industry leading technologies to allow customers scalability for unlimited corporate growth, openness to operate across a variety of system platforms, and interoperability to function seamlessly with other best-of-breed and legacy systems. MDSI has also added brand new Web-enabled functionality and enhanced the product's fundamental enterprise work force management capabilities.
The BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network is standards-based and, in addition to its core technology, offers connections with complementary networks and several host connectivity options. Based on the de facto international standard for wireless data communications, the core of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network provides extensive and seamless coverage nationwide, high-reliability, low latency, industry-leading battery saving protocols and other key features.
About BellSouth Wireless Data
BellSouth Wireless Data Limited Partnership is an expert in providing proven wireless data communications solutions that eliminate the barriers between critical information and mobile users. BellSouth solutions deliver a competitive advantage and increase personal productivity for aggressive, innovative companies and individuals who are leveraging communications technology to meet their strategic goals. BellSouth Wireless Data operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93 per cent of the urban business population located in 492 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs with a total population of 200 million people.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.
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