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Technology Stocks : PERI (Periphonics) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Scrapps who wrote (1405)	11/11/1998 11:42:00 AM
From: Scrapps	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1682

Periphonics IVR Technology Aids Administration of Tuition Payment Programs at Academic Management Services BOHEMIA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1998--Periphonics Corporation (Nasdaq: PERI - news), a leading worldwide provider of products and services for call processing solutions used in Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) and Telecom Enhanced Network Services, has deployed its VPS/is Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at Academic Management Services, the nations leading provider of tuition payment plans, located in Swansea, Massachusetts. The system was purchased to provide financial programs designed to ease the burden of tuition payment for parents and students across America. ''The influence of competition has forced the education industry to find new and different ways to attract students,'' reports Senior Vice President William Bianchi. ''With the costs for education rapidly escalating, easing the financial burden of tuition payments to families has become one of the attractions offered by many schools. Many schools now offer parents or students the option of making equal monthly payments distributed over the year with no interest charges, instead of paying a lump sum for tuition at the beginning of each semester. It's called the AMS Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan. We also offer a full line of education loans through the AMS Education Loan Trust.'' AMS offers schools the turnkey implementation and administration of this process at no charge to the institution. If a college elects to become an AMS client, AMS will take full charge from the mailing of applications and literature, to the collection of monthly payments and the monthly disbursements to the schools. AMS Connect made its debut as a result of the consideration of the advantages that an Interactive Voice Response system could provide. ''From a strategic standpoint, we felt an IVR system would help us to maintain our position of leadership in our industry and to sustain continued growth,'' says Bianchi. ''We have a reputation as an innovator and a policy of staying abreast of leading edge technology, employing its use to continuously improve and enhance the services we provide for our clients.'' By implementing IVR, AMS would be able to reduce their costs, reduce call times, and increase caller access to 24 hours a day. To find the right partner, ''The system had to have an established track record of reliability, be able to work closely with our staff, and be able to implement application requirements in a responsive and timely manner,'' said Bianchi. ''Also, the technology offered had to sound good, be leading edge and, though price was a consideration, value was of far more importance.'' ''The 800 number that provides access to AMS Connect is a highway with access to multiple destinations,'' says Marketing Manager Laura Redmond. ''It makes account information such as amount currently due, and last payment received easily accessible to parents and students.'' It is also a reporting mechanism for the schools, enabling them to obtain a variety of information and reports. Since implementing the AMS Connect system, both the schools and parents have been pleased with the service provided by the system. Says Bianchi, ''We've been very pleased with the job that it has been doing for us.'' About Periphonics Periphonics Corporation develops, markets and supports products and professional services for Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) and for Telecom Enhanced Network Services using technologies such as Interactive Voice Response (IVR), speech input, messaging, fax and Web browsers. The Company's products and services automate call and transaction processing, increase call center agent productivity, and often create new revenue streams for its customers. Headquartered in Bohemia, New York (Long Island), Periphonics has systems installed in more than 50 countries.