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CONTACT INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orcom Solutions and IBM First
to Deliver CIS Outsourcing Solution for Utilities Via High-Availability
Network
Sophisticated Network Design Addresses Need
for Ultimate in Reliability and Performance to compete in Deregulating
Utility Marketplace
BEND, OR. April 21, 1999 - Orcom Solutions Inc.,
a leading provider of Customer Information and Billing solutions
for the utility and energy services industry, today announced it
is the first outsourcing provider in the utility sector to Deliver
its Customer Information System (CIS) via a High-Availability Network,
including a mirrored environment in which client data is maintained
in real-time on two geographically separate computer systems.
Competition in the utility market has created a new focus on customer
service. Orcom's High Availability Network was designed to ensure
that critical customer service information is available around the
clock, enabling utilities to Upgrade their service offerings in
a cost-effective manner. This offering provides the ultimate in
CIS network delivery and reliability for utilities and energy service
providers who access Orcom's CIS "over the wire" as an
outsourced service. The High-Availability Network exceeds the availability
of a traditional in-house computer system, and helps Orcom clients
reduce the costs typically associated with building a technology
infrastructure.
Orcom president Drew Child said, "The High-Availability Network
offers a level of performance that our clients can rely on to Support
their outsourcing strategies. Since our people, processes and systems
are already in place, Orcom clients can implement our Enterprise
CIS (E-CIS) quickly, and rapidly adapt to changes in their business."
Child added, "Orcom designed its high-availability solution
by working with its customers, including the City of Austin, Texas,
a major contributor to the network design. The City of Austin desires
to have maximum uptime for its CIS solution to ensure that its customers
receive the best possible service."
The Orcom High-Availability Network solution is comprised of a
system of shared resources that back up or act as standby for each
other, an approach that minimizes downtime and provides a highly-secure
operating environment. IBM, through an IBM Global Services Delivery
Center in Rochester, New York, provides managed operations support
and houses the production AS/400 servers that provide access to
the Orcom Enterprise Customer Information System. A mirrored AS/400
server in the Orcom Operations Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska duplicates
all processing on the production AS/400.
Orcom's Child noted, "As the world leader in data management,
IBM is a valuable member of Orcom?s service delivery team. The Rochester
site is an IBM center-of-competency for AS/400 operations and support
in IBM Global Services and hosts many systems supporting more than
300 clients. Orcom's technical staff draws on this expertise to
help ensure our network delivery reflects the most reliable and
versatile technology available."
The network is managed 24 hours a day by Orcom technical and operations
staff committed to its continuous operation and meeting or exceeding
guaranteed service levels.
Selective or application outsourcing is an increasingly popular
strategy among utilities. It allows them to free in-house resources
to focus on core business activities, such as delivering products
and services, while depending on the outsource provider to Handle
critical but non-core business functions, such as customer service.
About Orcom Solutions
Orcom Solutions is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, and operates an
office in Denver, Colorado, in addition to the Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Operations Center. Orcom provides solutions for nearly 200 utilities
and energy providers around the world and currently has more than
600 employees. Orcom has received the IBM Mark of Quality Award
for four consecutive years. In 1998, Orcom received IBM's highest
level of recognition with a Gold Level award, a distinction held
by only a few of IBM's Business Partners. Orcom Solutions is a wholly
owned subsidiary of en.able, LLC, headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado.
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