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ETC Installation Services Connect with Customer NeedsWaukesha, WI—April 9, 2001 You’ve bought equipment, but now what? If the operations of today’s network seem baffling, integrating new equipment into that mix successfully and quickly could be called a Houdini-like feat. ETC’s technical services team has worked their installation magic for customers from Alaska to Puerto Rico to Botswana. Over 350 installations have taken place over the last two years, many times for companies with limited or over-burdened technical resources. In April, ETC offers customers a sample of these services with a special promotion of free Level-2 Installation to customers purchasing a Digicept® DNA Module announcement system. Given the trend for company downsizing and reallocation of resources, installation services continue to prove popular for both economic and timing reasons. However, the real customer advantage, according to tech Vicki Perdziak, comes from installers also being diagnostic technicians. "When installing, our priority is proper placement for ventilation in relationship to other central office equipment," she explained. "At the site, we instruct customers on the simplicity of maintenance and how to interact with the software. Later, should any technical questions arise, we give the answers. In this way, we are always available to support our customer's operation after installation." An installation typically occurs about 45 days after receipt of a customer order. After determining the logistics—security clearance, hours for the install, necessary customer preparation, and basic network information—a technical rep calls to discuss any higher-level issues that need to be addressed. "Our job is to cover all the bases," said Linda Timple, Technical Services Coordinator. "Sometimes it’s simply making sure equipment has been distributed to multiple facilities in an organization. Other times, specific concerns such as switch protocol issues are brought up that can be resolved by our techs before the installation." At the customer site, ETC technicians may install circuit cards, power supplies, temperature probes, span cards, alarm cards, power cables, and custom messages. They connect a web of cables, T1 lines, and power cords into an efficient solution, integrating ETC equipment with the customer’s network. A final system-wide checkout and initialization ensures the equipment functions properly in its new environment and a hands-on introductory training enables the customer to be comfortable managing the system. "Customers enjoy the flexibility of being able to select their level of service and the security of knowing their equipment optimally works," said Rudy Spiering, Vice President Technical Services. "In order for equipment to speak for the network, we make certain everything not only works well, but performs well together."
Various installation services are offered on three levels priced
accordingly. An option for custom installation, quoted individually,
rounds out the offerings. Most installations take place during normal
business hours, but after-hours services, 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m., are also
available. Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any "forward-looking" statements are provided in compliance with the "Safe Harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking" statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, technology changes, backlog, acquisitions, status of the economy, governmental regulations, sources of supply, expense structure, product mix, major customers, competition, litigation, and other risk factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks and uncertainties included in those filings. For additional information about ETC, visit www.etcia.com. Digicept is a registered trademark of Electronic Tele-Communications, Inc. # # # |