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CONTACT INFORMATION
Hickorytech
www.hickorytech.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HickoryTech Deploys SuitesSolution™
Customer Management Software for Its CLEC Operations
MANKATO, MN., June 13, 2002 — HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq:HTCO)
announced today that it has deployed a new customer management system
for its competitive local exchange operations headquartered in Mankato.
This sector provides competitive local, long distance and data services
in southern Minnesota and central Iowa with true “one-stop” communications
shopping.
The new system, SuiteSolution, was developed by HickoryTech’s Information
Solutions division. This deployment completes the first phase of
a plan that will allow HickoryTech to manage all of its products
and services on a single platform. Subsequent phases of the project
involve converting HickoryTech's wireless and ILEC operations to
SuiteSolution.
HickoryTech’s SuiteSolution is available for external deployment.
Telecommunications providers can see upcoming live demonstrations
at the ALTS Digi.Comm, Orlando, Fla. – July; TAM Convention, Acme,
Mich. – September; Midwest Telecom Expo, Ft. Wayne, Ind. – October;
and the ASCENT Fall Conference, Orlando, Fla. – November 2002. Private
demonstrations of the product are available by contacting the Information
Solutions division. Contact information is listed on HickoryTech’s
Website.
“All the divisions within HickoryTech will benefit from the use
of this customer management system,” said Lane Nordquist, President
of HickoryTech’s Information Solutions division. “The use of a single
system to manage multiple product lines and the ability to provide
better service to our customers at a lower cost gives HickoryTech
a competitive advantage.”
SuiteSolution automates the entire order process; from capturing
the customer’s request, to checking for the required network elements,
and provisioning the service. The system also houses information
about the customers, their preferences and their service history.
“We operate in competitive markets in every community we serve,”
said Jay Knauf, President of HickoryTech’s Consumer Markets division.
“With SuiteSolution, we can distinguish ourselves by offering service
packages that appeal to our customers, and our Customer Service
Representatives can access information about any subscriber and
the services we provide to them. As we broaden the use of SuiteSolution
throughout our operations, we’ll be able to provide bundled discounts
to customers that receive a variety of broadband and voice services.”
There are four main components to SuiteSolution. The system combines
a Web-based Customer Relationship Manager, a Back Office Manager,
a Work Flow Manager and a Directory application with proven wireline
and wireless billing engines. This approach allows HickoryTech to
preserve the investment made in its billing systems while enhancing
the tools used to attract and retain subscribers.
About HickoryTech Corporation
HickoryTech Corporation is a diversified communications company
headquartered in Mankato, Minn., with 500 employees and operations
in Minnesota and Iowa. HickoryTech is in its 105th year of operation
with its roots in the local telephone exchange business. From this
base, it has expanded into wireless communications, competitive
local service, long distance, Internet, information solutions and
enterprise solutions. To learn more about HickoryTech Corporation,
visit www.HickoryTech.com.
Certain statements included in this press release that are not
historical facts are ``forward-looking statements.'' Such forward-looking
statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections
about the industry in which HickoryTech operates and management's
beliefs and assumptions. The forward-looking statements are subject
to uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and probabilities.
Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from
what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking
statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made.
HickoryTech undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking
statements for any reason.
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