KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Jan. 27, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Neoware Systems (Nasdaq:NWRE), the leading supplier of award-winning software, services and thin client appliances, today announced that retailer Badcock Home Furnishing Centers has chosen Neoware's software and thin client appliances to support its growing network of 325 dealer locations in seven states. Badcock operates under a unique dealer business model, which consigns merchandise to the independent dealers that make up 80 percent of its network. By choosing Neoware's thin client appliances, Badcock's IT is providing its users a more cost-effective way to upgrade aging technology, centrally manage their mission-critical applications, unify the look and operations of the stores, and reduce ongoing operating costs.
"We are extremely committed to our dealer network and believe that our 100 years of success is based on their success," says Veryl White, Director of Technology Infrastructure for Badcock. "Our challenge was to find an effective replacement for our dealers' green-screen terminals in order to efficiently process orders from the point of sale through delivery, thus greatly enhancing overall customer service."
Just as important, Badcock needed to create desire on the part of their dealers to replace their existing systems with a new solution. Neoware's thin client appliances provide that justification because of lower up-front purchase costs and greatly reduced installation time when compared to personal computers. More important, the savings from centralized management, eliminating the need for technicians to travel to individual retail stores to support desktops, is seen over the life of the device, significantly reducing the total cost of ownership.
With Neoware thin client appliances, a single network administrator can add new functionality to Badcock's custom point-of-sale and inventory management software quickly. That benefit saves money, and also provides for fast distribution of the most up-to-date software, allowing new functions to be added and made available as dealers demand. As part of the implementation, Badcock plans to deploy Neoware thin client appliances throughout its dealer network over the next few years.
"Badcock answers to two customers, its dealers and furniture consumers," said Michael Kantrowitz, Chairman and CEO of Neoware Systems. "To convince dealers, they have to provide a compelling solution for investing in new technology. For consumers, Badcock must offer a better customer service experience. Neoware's software and thin client appliances deliver on both levels by providing a centrally managed, lower-cost alternative that allows their dealers to spend more time in front of their customers providing more efficient service, and less time in front of a computer."
Badcock Furniture purchased Neoware's thin clients through IBM, which sells Neoware products as part of a strategic sales and marketing alliance between the two companies. IBM customers can purchase Neoware products through the existing IBM procurement channel, gaining the benefits of Neoware's products at the same time that they purchase other IBM hardware, software and services.
About Neoware
Neoware provides software, services, and solutions to enable Appliance Computing, a proven Internet-based computing architecture targeted at business customers that is designed to be simpler and easier than traditional PC-based computing. Neoware's software and management tools power and manage a new generation of smart computing appliances that utilize the benefits of open, industry-standard technologies to create new alternatives to personal computers used in business and a wide variety of proprietary business devices.
Neoware's products are designed to run local applications for specific vertical markets, plus allow access across a network to multi-user Windows servers, Linux servers, mainframes, minicomputers, and the Internet. Computing appliances that run and are managed by Neoware's software offer the cost benefits of industry-standard hardware and software, easier installation, and have lower up-front, maintenance, and administrative costs than proprietary or PC-based alternatives.
More information about Neoware can be found on the Web at http://www.neoware.com or via email at invest@neoware.com. Neoware is based in King of Prussia, PA.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding: Badcock's plans to deploy our thin client appliances; our position as the leading supplier of software, products, services and solutions for the Appliance Computing market; and the benefits of our software-focused business model allowing customers to lower ongoing costs of ownership. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statement include Badcock's acceptance of our thin client products, pricing pressures, rapid technological changes in the industry, growth of the Appliance Computing market, increased competition, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, adverse changes in general economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally and political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Neoware's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2003 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
Neoware is a registered trademark of Neoware Systems, Inc. Citrix(R), iForum(TM) and Citrix Business Alliance(TM) are registered trademarks or trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the US and other countries. All other names products and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
From: For: Gregory FCA Communications, Inc. Neoware Systems, Inc. 27 W. Athens Ave. 400 Feheley Drive Ardmore, PA 19003 King of Prussia, PA 19406 Contact: Contact: Tim Cifelli Sharon O'Shea (610) 642-8253 (610) 277-8300, ext. 1743 email: tim@gregoryfca.com email: sharon.oshea@neoware.com