Dell Technology is the Wind Beneath FTD's Mercury Wings New Technology to Be Delivered to 20,000 Florists Nationwide
(thanks to Tim Luke)
Thursday October 29, 9:00 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Dell Technology is the Wind Beneath FTD's Mercury Wings
New Technology to Be Delivered to 20,000 Florists Nationwide
ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1998--FTD(R) florists will be
able to manage suppliers and serve customers through the Internet using new
computer systems to be supplied by Dell Computer Corporation (NASDAQ:DELL -
news) under an agreement in principle between FTD Inc. and Dell.
The Mercury Wings hardware and software package includes an option that gives
florists the ability to use the Internet, while simultaneously receiving orders from
customers and executing other business processes on the same PC.
The new computer systems will be available to FTD florists through purchase or a
leasing agreement with Dell Financial Services. (The name, Mercury Wings, is
derived from FTD's logo winged Mercury symbolizing FTD's speed of delivery.)
The custom designed OptiPlex(R) GX1 desktop PC with Intel's Pentium(R) II
processor technology features dual modems for the new capabilities. It also has
significant memory; giving florists increased storage for customer, product and
employee information. The Mercury Wings package contains customized
point-of-sale features like Cherry cash drawers, and includes a printer and training
material. Each PC features a richer, more robust version of FTD's proprietary
software, The Wings, as well as Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 and Microsoft Office,
Professional Edition, all factory installed by Dell.
The complete computer systems are available in three different packages: the
OptiPlex GX1 PC for smaller shops; Dell Precision(tm) WorkStation 410 for mid-size
shops; and multiple PCs and Dell's PowerEdge(R) server for large operations.
The Mercury Wings software gives florists faster access to the FTD Mercury Wings
Network(R) and all major florists' directories. The FTD software is designed to
increase the effectiveness and save time in performing florists' most frequent tasks.
''FTD demonstrates how forward-thinking it is by designing its Mercury Wings
program to give florists the ability to achieve virtual integration with their suppliers
and customers,'' said Theresa Garza, vice president and general manager of Dell's
Large Corporate Accounts. ''In a business where their product is highly perishable,
the capability to closely coordinate the supply chain and fulfillment for the customer
is a significant competitive advantage.''
The Mercury Wings package includes installation, training and service by a Dell
service partner. FTD is in the process of establishing guaranteed system support
services during peak holiday and business times as an option, while Hot Swap
service is currently available on printers. FTD's agreement with Dell, the world's
leading direct computer systems company, includes Premier Access, where Dell
certifies the customers' technicians on site, enabling them to do their own diagnosis
and order parts directly. Premier Access also means any service and support calls
from FTD are immediately routed to Level II in Dell's service call queue, giving
FTD's calls a higher level of priority and more advanced technicians.
''We're very excited to offer this powerful, practical solution. Mercury Wings brings
FTD florists a whole new level of computer capabilities, '' said Robert L. Norton,
FTD's president and CEO. ''And when florists' business needs change, Mercury
Wings grows with them.''
Founded by a group of florists in 1910, FTD is the world's largest floral organization
and the only to offer consumers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. The
company links 20,000 florists, dedicated to quality, throughout the United States
and Canada and through its international affiliates, connects a total of more than
52,000 florists in 141 countries around the world. Consumers can order FTD flowers
by visiting any local florist, calling 800/SEND-FTD or visiting the FTD website at
www.ftd.com.
Ranked No. 125 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 363 in the Fortune
Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer
systems company, based on revenues of $15.2 billion for the past four quarters.
Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer
requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals.
Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number
800/388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.
Dell, OptiPlex and PowerEdge are registered trademarks and Dell Precision is a
trademark of Dell Computer Corporation. FTD and FTD Mercury Network are
registered trademarks of Florists' Transworld Delivery Corporation. Intel and
Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Microsoft Windows 2000
and Microsoft Office, Professional Edition are registered trademarks of the Microsoft
Corporation. Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc. Dell disclaims any
proprietary interest in the marks and names of others
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