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Sprint and Cisco Announce Sprint Dealer Solutions for the Auto Industry

Posted on: Monday, 10 November 2003, 06:00 CST

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint and Cisco Systems, Inc., a Sprint strategic alliance partner, today announced a new integrated solutions platform called Sprint Dealer Solutions(SM). This new platform provides an underlying communications infrastructure that can support dealer-automaker interactions, including parts and inventory management, customer information exchange, built-to-order processes and Web-based services. Sprint Dealer Solutions is designed to help break down communication silos in the auto industry so that automakers, auto groups and dealers can share real-time information efficiently and securely through a consistent and reliable infrastructure.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )

"Dealerships today are geographically dispersed and many are selling multiple brands, which can make communication with automakers difficult," said Lee Priest, director, segment marketing, Sprint. "Sprint Dealer Solutions can enhance communication, as well as help support a new revenue stream for automakers through e-commerce; improve customer satisfaction and loyalty through process efficiencies; and decrease costs through smart infrastructure investments."

"We are excited to expand the portfolio we offer dealerships today," said Saylor Frase, vice president, Nuspire, a leading provider of corporate programs for global Internet communications solutions spanning multiple technologies, services and carriers. "So often, dealerships are interested in connecting their multiple locations, and at the same time be able to support dealer-automotive interactions with their respective OEMs, and Sprint Dealer Solutions will give us the opportunity to meet their needs."

Sprint Dealer Solutions creates tighter integration between automakers, auto groups and dealerships through a highly secure Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) offer with added security and management options. The IP VPN offer creates a robust, reliable network to maintain information in real time and increases high-speed connectivity for dealers, allowing them to easily communicate information such as credit applications and inventory. Furthermore, Sprint Dealer Solutions is designed to support new, robust Web- based services, like customer relationship management and online video training.

"By combining Cisco technology and the Sprint integrated solutions platform, automotive dealers and manufacturers will have access to greater real-time information throughout the value chain," said Greg Fountain, consulting principal in Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Automotive Practice. "This intelligence will enable dealers and manufacturers to dynamically target customers for new products and services, while improving efficiencies and reducing complexity of transactions between customers, dealers and manufacturers."

Sprint Dealer Solutions provides multiple access options ranging from DSL to traditional dedicated access and come backed by comprehensive service level agreements. Customers can utilize their existing network infrastructure investments since Sprint Dealer Solutions can work with cable modems, dial up, broadband DSL, and Internet Protocol (IP). This new platform is available internationally and it can allow dealers to focus on selling cars and services, rather than on technology issues. Sprint can also provide process management services to engage all parties in moving to a common infrastructure.

Together, Sprint and Cisco are aligned in a strategic relationship that focuses on meeting customer needs for IP equipment and services through shared market research, joint development of new products and technologies, and joint sales and marketing. Sprint Dealer Solutions is another example of this collaboration and its value to customers.

Sprint Dealer Solutions supports the latest standards guide, v5 of the Dealer Infrastructure Guide (DIG) being developed by the Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR) association, developed to promote the efficient exchange of data between dealers and manufacturers.

For two years in a row (2002-2003), Sprint has received highest customer satisfaction in the business high-end data segment of the J.D. Power and Associates Major Provider Business Telecommunications Services Study(SM). Sprint is also the recipient of the 2002 Market Engineering Leadership Award for the Manufacturing Vertical given by Frost & Sullivan, a leading growth consulting firm.

For more information on Sprint business solutions for manufacturing, visit http://www.sprintbiz.com/solutions/manufacturing/ .

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information on Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com/ .

About Sprint

Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 70,000 employees worldwide and nearly $27 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/ .