SAN ANTONIO, May 19, 2008 - First Data Utilities launched the new release of the award-winning Peace Customer Information System (CIS), branded PeaceX. Incorporating Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), a next-generation user interface and business function componentization, PeaceX delivers the proven functionality, scalability and upgradeability of the Peace platform, installed at utilities in 37 markets worldwide.

Service-Oriented Architecture
While the benefits of utilizing SOA and 'web-wrappers' as a way to improve integration are well publicized, we believe the true power of SOA is much more fundamental:

• SOA technologies and methods to enable componentization of product architecture, as well as stand-alone business functions, allow CIS components to be upgraded without replacing the entire CIS application. SOA-based componentization allows utilities to focus on priority business areas, and take advantage of new CIS capabilities sooner.
• SOA strategies maximize the value of enterprise-wide IT systems by facilitating interoperability that leverages business functionality across existing enterprise systems.
• Separating out the optimized user experience from business logic layers enables the user interface to be oriented around the user experience and business processes, rather than a functional component structure - which is not how a utility's business operates.
• Service-orientation also enables a single UI to more easily incorporate services from multiple applications, known as a composite user interface.

PeaceX CIS starts to unlock these benefits by incorporating SOA components and delivering a clear road-map for utilities that want to harness the power of SOA.

Next Generation User Interface
Sitting at the convergence between elegance, practical business flows, and next-generation technology, the new PeaceX user interface combines usability best practices with cutting-edge innovation. Intuitive and crisp, PeaceX incorporates role-specific workflows, significant screen consolidation, analytics, and informative graphics to deliver unparalleled efficiencies. From a technology perspective, PeaceX utilizes leading new technologies such as Google Web Toolkit, Java Server Faces and AJAX, to deploy the best user experience possible for large-scale, browser-based systems.

Componentization
The cost and complexity of CIS replacement is at the heart of the degrading CIS cost/value cycle. Componentization - at both the business and architecture level - will mean the end of the large, disruptive upgrades and replacements. Rather, utilities will take advantage of more frequent and less-disruptive component-based improvements and upgrades. Componentization brings code-stream divergence to an end, while maintaining high usability and seamless technical integration.

Optimized Business Processes
PeaceX is configured to take advantage of the First Data Utilities Optimized Business Process suite. These business processes are driven by market driven requirements based on 20 years of utility experience. They are then reviewed by leading utilities and industry experts, and optimized at a functional level for the CIS. The business process suite reduces the cost, risk and time of CIS replacement, and improves ongoing efficiency.

Strategic Options
PeaceX offers utilities the option of three deployment models: license the CIS for installation at your own facility; deploy the CIS using the Peace managed services which allows utility IT teams to focus on issues other than the day-to-day management of the CIS; or select our new service-with-software model.

Service-with-software simplifies the CIS engagement model by delivering business process optimized, customer-facing software from our award-winning Peace CIS in a simplified, flexible and predictable way. By moving to a service-with-software outsourcing model, utilities pay a predictable maintenance fee for a platform that we keep current. Individually, business process standardization, service-oriented architecture and outsourcing can help address some of the issues facing utilities, but deployed together our powerful combination allows utilities to re-address the CIS business case.

About First Data Utilities
First Data Utilities develops the award-winning Peace® utility Customer Information System (CIS) software and provides outsourced utility services. The top-rated Peace CIS software is trusted by major regulated, competitive, and network utilities in 37 markets worldwide. First Data Utilities' latest release, PeaceX, is at the forefront of utility software development with its adoption of 'Smart Screen' usability, Service Oriented Architecture, and business process optimization. First Data has more than 300 utility clients ranging from entrepreneurial new entrant energy retailers to the largest dual-fuel utilities with millions of customers and multiple market operations. For more information, visit www.firstdatautilities.com.

About First Data
First Data Corp. is the global technology leader in information commerce. The company processes transaction data of all kinds, harnesses the power of that data, and delivers innovations in secure infrastructure, intelligence and insight for its customers. With operations in 37 countries, First Data serves over 5.4 million merchant locations, 2,000 card issuers and their customers. It powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. The company's portfolio of services and solutions includes merchant transaction processing services; credit, debit, private-label, gift, payroll and other prepaid card offerings; fraud protection and authentication solutions; receivables management solutions; electronic check acceptance services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile payment solutions. The company's STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 2.1 million ATM and retail locations. Through First Data's four "centers of excellence": security, analytics, customer loyalty and mobile payments, we offer data-driven commerce solutions for customers around the globe. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.

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